PURPOSE
In accordance with sections
4123.01(B), 4123.40.2 and 4121.44.6 of the Ohio Revised Code, the
Department of Administrative Services shall act as employer for workers'
compensation claims arising under Chapters 4121, 4123, 4127 and 4131
of the Revised Code for all state agencies, offices, institutions,
boards or commissions, except for public colleges and universities.
The department shall review, process, certify or contest and administer
workers' compensation claims for each state agency, office, institution,
board or commission, except for public colleges and universities,
unless otherwise agreed to between the department and a state agency,
office, institution, board or commission.
GENERAL
Administrative Services
or a Third Party Administrator shall act as the employer representative
in Bureau of Workers' Compensation or Industrial Commission hearings.
This representation will include claims dealing with death, permanent
total disability, permanent partial disability, original allowances
and appeal cases.
In order to facilitate
the timely and accurate processing of all claims filed by state employees,
each appointing authority shall designate a person who will act as
the agency's liaison to Benefits Administration Services (BAS). The
agency designee must:
1. Aid any employee wishing
to file a claim in properly filling out the necessary forms.
2. Advise claimants of
the need to acquire adequate medical proof if it is not immediately
available.
3. Forward claimant's applications
to the Managed Care Organization (MCO) within five days of the submission
of a claim.
4. Supply such information
as may be necessary to expedite the certification of the claim to
BAS claims administrator.
5. Submit in writing prior
to the hearing date any pertinent information regarding a claim filed
by one of their employees, to BAS.
6. Complete and return
all wage information requested by BAS within five days of the claims
administrator's request.
Agency designees may attend
and observe Workers' Compensation hearings. The representative from
the Third Party Administrator or Benefits Administration Services
will, however, present all evidence.
Any deviation from the
above procedures will result in an unnecessary delay of the adjudication
process.
All communications originating
at the Bureau of Workers' Compensation and/or Industrial Commission
district offices pertaining to hearings on industrial claims involving
state employees should be sent to the appropriate employing agency
and to BAS:
Office of Benefits Administration
Services
Human Resources Division
Ohio Department of Administrative Services
106 North High Street, 3rd Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215.
This directive supersedes
any previously issued directive or policy and will remain effective
until canceled or superseded.
REFERENCE & AUTHORITY
ORC 4121.01
ORC 121.07