Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO)

Workers' Compensation

Group Rating Services

Workers' compensation costs continue to rise for Ohio employers. The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Oversight Commission approved an average 3.9 percent premium increase for private employers, which took effect for the payroll period beginning July 1, 2006. The BWC expects the increase to offset rising medical costs and lower investment returns. In addition, the bureau decided not to offer a dividend to private employers for the July 1, 2006, to December 31, 2006, payroll period. Dividends may be suspended or severely reduced for future payroll periods as well.

Fortunately, employers have options. The best choice is the COHHIO group rating program. Our group offers a wide range of savings options to employers in every industry. With our multiple tiers - saving from 17 to 90* percent off premiums - we can pinpoint the greatest discount for which you are eligible, up to the BWC's maximum allowed discount. Even if you have claims, our range of discount levels enables us to place most companies in our group.

Group rating is a benefit to COHHIO members. Last year, members of our program saved an average of $13.57 for every $1 invested in the group rating. Also, with our group, members pay no additional dues to join, which you may be doing if you are in another group rating program.

To find out how much you can save, contact our program administrator, The Frank Gates Service Company, for a free, no-obligation savings estimate. Call them at 1-800-395-4119, or visit www.frankgatesgroups.com and submit an AC-3 form (link to flyer/AC-3 PDF) to begin your analysis.

When you join COHHIO's group rating program, you are also partnering with the experts at Frank Gates for comprehensive claims and risk management services, which can help you maintain your future group eligibility. Frank Gates' strength and credibility ensures our group provides the best results for you.

Frank Gates will also determine if other premium discount programs offered by the BWC are right for your business. These programs, including the Premium Discount Program +, Transitional WorkGRANT$ and the Drug-Free Workplace Program, provide businesses with premium discounts in exchange for implementing comprehensive safety measures designed to prevent accidents. Contact our Frank Gates representative for advice on reducing your workers' compensation premiums, and assistance with program applications.

Take control of your workers' comp premiums! For more information, contact Al Gardner with The Frank Gates Service Company at 1-800-777-4283, ext. 757, or email agardner@frankgates.com. Or contact Douglas Argue, COHHIO's managing director, at 614-280-1984, ext. 13.

* 90 percent is the new maximum discount allowed by the Bureau of Workers' Compensation for the 2007 rating year.

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Workers' Compensation Group Rating Q & A

Workers' comp premium rates are constantly increasing. Dividends are never guaranteed, and their absence in the most recent billing cycle should emphasize the value gained by joining COHHIO's group rating program. As a member of our group, you could receive discounts of 17 percent to 90 percent off 2007 premiums, regardless of decisions made on next year's dividends. The signups for 2007 are approaching, and now is the time to consider your options. Use the following questions and answers as a guide when making your choice.

Q: How can I reduce my workers' compensation premium?
A: The best way to ensure you pay the lowest premiums possible is to join the COHHIO group rating program. Group rating allows employers in the same or similar industry with good safety and claims records to "group" their claims experience and enjoy premium discounts of up to 90 percent. COHHIO's group offers consistently low premiums and savings estimates you can rely on. Our program is administered by The Frank Gates Service Company.

Q: Are all workers' compensation group rating programs alike?
A: No. Hundreds of group rating plans are offered throughout Ohio by many different sponsoring organizations. Each group offers its own savings rates. For 2007, participants can save a maximum of 90 percent on their workers' compensation premium. Even if you are currently enrolled in a group, it pays to compare. You could potentially save thousands more with the COHHIO group rating program. Our members pay no extra association dues to join!

Q: Is there a cost to participate in the program?
A: Each member is charged an administrative fee to be in the program, and must be a paid member of the organization sponsoring the group. By enrolling in our group rating plan, you are also hiring Frank Gates, who will provide expert claims cost control services as your plan administrator. Details of the administrative fee will be provided along with your group savings proposal, but the average member's savings far outweigh their costs. For the 2006 rating year, Frank Gates program members saved an average of $13.57 for every $1 invested in the group rating.

Q: Can you only enroll once a year? Is this true for all groups?
A: Yes. Frank Gates provides savings quotes throughout the fall, and the final Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation enrollment date for private employers is the last business day in February.

Q: If I am uncertain whether my company would qualify for the plan, should I apply?
A: Yes. Each year the Bureau assigns new rates based on an employer's payroll and experience. A company that did not previously qualify due to a penalty rating may qualify if its experience improves.

Q: How can I join the COHHIO Group Rating Program?
A: Employers have to apply to join a group program each year. An analysis of your claims loss experience determines if you are eligible for group rating and, if so, how much you could save. For a free, no-obligation group rating savings estimate, call 1-800-395-4119 or visit www.frankgatesgroups.com and submit a savings estimate authorization form (AC-3) online. You may also print a COHHIO AC-3 from the site and mail or fax it to Frank Gates.

For more information, contact our Frank Gates representative, Al Gardner at 1-800-777-4283, ext. 757 or email agardner@frankgates.com.

Group Rating Timeline

Have you requested your free workers' compensation group rating savings estimate? If not, there is still time to do so. The Frank Gates Service Company, COHHIO's group rating plan administrator, is currently analyzing employers for placement in our 2007 group rating program. The timeline below gives more information about the group rating process for 2006 - 2007.

Summer 2006

Members not currently in the COHHIO group receive marketing materials from Frank Gates. Employers complete and submit AC-3s, or Temporary Authorization forms, to request group rating program savings estimates.

October 2006 - February 2007

Group rating savings estimates and enrollment invitations are issued to employers who submitted AC-3s as well as current group members.

February 2007

Group rating enrollment materials for the rating year beginning July 1, 2007, (reflected in payroll reports issued in January and July 2008) must be returned to Frank Gates by the end of February. This deadline is set by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Also, payroll reports are issued reflecting group rating discount for those who enrolled in group programs back in February 2006.

Take advantage of this benefit available to you as a COHHIO member! To request your free, no-obligation savings estimate, call 1-800-395-4119 or visit www.frankgatesgroups.com and submit an online AC-3 today. If you have any questions, please contact Al Gardner with Frank Gates at 1-800-777-4283, ext. 757 or email agardner@frankgates.com.

BWC Lowers Maximum Group Discount

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) determines its premium rates by taking the experience of the past and projecting it into the future. Part of their analysis includes using credibility percentages that measure historical data to predict future losses. These credibility percentages help determine the amount of premium reduction an employer can receive each year.

This year, the BWC is continuing to shrink the credibility table. In doing so, the maximum discount for the July 1, 2007, rate year for all groups is no longer a 93 percent discount, but is instead a 90 percent discount.

This is the third of three planned decreases to be made by the BWC to the credibility table. Reductions began with the July 1, 2005, rate year, with only a very select group receiving a 95 percent discount. For the July 1, 2006, rate year, the maximum group discount was reduced to 93 percent.

If you have questions about how the BWC's changes will affect you, please contact Al Gardner with The Frank Gates Service Company at 1-800-777-4283, ext. 757 or email agardner@frankgates.com.