07/31/2019

Average Private Employer Workers’ Comp Rates Drop 20 Percent

This reflects the Ohio BWC's largest cut in nearly 60 years

A 20 percent reduction in the average premium rate the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) collects from private employers went into effect July 1, the agency’s largest cut in nearly 60 years.  

“We’re pleased to continue the trend of falling rates with a reduction that will save Ohio private employers roughly $244 million in fiscal year 2020,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud.

McCloud said safer workplaces resulting in fewer and less costly workplace injury claims and continued lower inflation of medical costs are among the factors that make the reduction possible. Claims have fallen 18 percent since 2010 to 85,136 in 2018.

The cut follows a 12 percent reduction in July 2018 for private employers and a 12 percent rate reduction for public employers — counties, cities, schools and others — that went into effect Jan. 1. Overall, the average rate levels for the 242,000 Ohio employers in the BWC system are at their lowest in at least 40 years.

The 20 percent rate cut represents an average statewide change. The actual total premium paid by individual private employers depends on several factors, including the expected future claims costs in their industry, their company’s recent claims history, participation in various BWC rebate programs as well as assessments collected to fund the operations of the system.