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Ohio workers' compensation insurance: Your guide to requirements and getting a policy
If you’re an Ohio employer looking to protect both your business and your team, you’re in the right place. At Beyond, we provide the essential information you need to understand how workers’ compensation works and how to stay compliant.
In Ohio, workers’ compensation insurance is equally as important to your employees as it is to your business. For employees, it provides a level of reassurance that they will be provided with medical care and other benefits should they be injured or contract an occupational illness while on the job. For employers, workers’ compensation insurance protects them from costly litigation and other expenses that may occur if an employee is injured or experiences a work-related illness.
Now that we know how workers’ comp benefits employers and employees, let’s find out which companies must carry it and how Beyond can help.
In a nutshell, any employer with more than one (1) employee, whether full time or part time, is required to have workers’ compensation coverage. This includes anyone in the service of another person, firm, or corporation, including aliens, minors, household workers, and casual workers who earn at least $160 per quarter. Corporate officers are also regarded as employees under Ohio law.
Ohio law requires that employers secure workers’ compensation insurance from the first day an employee is hired. That means new business owners must apply for coverage before onboarding their first employee. Beyond provides tools and guidance to simplify this process.
Yes — Ohio allows some exemptions. Coverage is optional for:
Sole proprietors without employees
Partnerships
LLCs acting as sole proprietors or partnerships
Family farm corporate officers
Incorporated individuals
Ministers of religious organizations
Domestic or casual workers earning less than $160 per quarter
Ohio offers several benefits to injured workers:
Medical care: Includes all approved treatments, surgeries, rehab, prescriptions, and related travel expenses. Services are managed by the employer’s Managed Care Organization (MCO).
Temporary Total (TT) Compensation: Available after 7 days of disability; full wage for the first 12 weeks, then calculated using an average weekly wage.
Permanent Partial Disability: Compensation for partial permanent injuries like loss of vision, hearing, or limbs.
Permanent Total Disability: A one-time award and supplemental fund for permanently disabled workers.
Change of Occupation: For workers (e.g., firefighters, police) advised by a physician to change careers.
Death Benefits: Includes funeral expenses and compensation for surviving family members.
Additional benefits may be available depending on the injury.Â
Ohio operates under a monopolistic state fund, meaning employers must obtain workers’ comp directly from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), not private insurers. Employers may apply for self-insurance, but must:
Have two years of claims experience with the state fund
Demonstrate financial stability
Provide a financial guarantee
To get started, employers file Form U-3 and pay a non-refundable fee (minimum $120, based on factors like employee count and industry risk). Once processed, coverage becomes active.
Beyond helps Ohio employers understand and meet all state filing and compliance requirements.
Yes. Failure to pay premiums by the due date results in:
Lapsed coverage
Responsibility for any resulting claims
1% penalty of the premium due
$30 late fee
Up to 15% surcharge, depending on lateness
Non-compliant employers risk having liens placed on business and personal property until all debts are paid.
Employees must report injuries promptly. Once informed, employers must:
Provide necessary medical care
Notify their MCO
Injured workers can file claims for medical benefits and wage compensation separately. Medical providers must file claims within 24 hours of treatment. Alternatively, the worker, employer, or their representative may file Form FROI (First Report of Injury, Occupational Disease, or Death), which has no time limit for employees.
Yes — for the first visit. After that, ongoing care must be provided by a BWC-certified Physician of Record (POR). Exceptions include emergency room treatment and initial visits. Continued care from non-certified providers is not covered.
If you’re doing business in Ohio, you’re likely required to carry workers’ comp insurance before hiring your first employee. Maintaining compliance protects your business from lawsuits, large medical bills, and penalties from the BWC.
Have questions or need help? Beyond is here to guide you every step of the way.
