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CLIENT ALERT: BWC issuing $1.5 billion in premium refunds to Ohio employers

Client Alert

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has now reported that the Board of Directors approved a proposal to send $1.5 billion of the agency’s revenues to Ohio employers covered by the BWC system.

BWC will begin sending checks to private and public employers in late September, with payments expected to continue into October. These funds are available, according to BWC, due to strong investment returns, falling injury claims and other operational efficiencies.

This refund is expected to be 88 percent of the 2017 policy year premium. While the bulk would go to private companies, an estimated $114 million would go to counties, cities, townships and other local government entities. Nearly $50 million would go to public school districts.

In order to be eligible to receive this refund, an Ohio employer must complete their True Up in a timely fashion.  Other eligibility criteria, employer-specific, may apply as well.

The BWC is also pushing their PAR Program, which eligible employers can apply for and, if successful, the employer can recover 50% of their premium, up to a rebate maximum of $2,000.00

Private employers should have already received their True Up notices.  Please feel free to call us if you need or want advice or assistance with any Workers’ Compensation-related matter.

For more information, contact Richard L. Williger via email at rlwilliger@bmdllc.com or call (330) 253.3770.


CMS’s Rural Health Funding Announcement

CMS has announced a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities. All states are eligible to apply for funding by November 5, 2025. Half of the funds will be distributed equally, with the remainder based on state-specific factors. The program supports evidence-based initiatives, workforce recruitment, and access to treatment services, with awards assessed annually

Expanding Access to Care: Ohio’s Effort to Modernize APRN Practice Through Ohio SB 258 and HB 508

Ohio is moving to expand access to healthcare through Senate Bill 258 and House Bill 508, which would modernize APRN practice by removing the outdated requirement for a physician contract. This change would allow nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists to provide care more efficiently, especially in underserved areas, while maintaining high-quality, cost-effective care.

Cleveland Joins the Pay Transparency Movement: What Employers Need to Know

Beginning October 27, 2025, all Cleveland employers with 15 or more employees will be prohibited from asking applicants about their pay history and will be required to include reasonable pay ranges in all job postings where the position will be performed, solicited, considered, or processed in Cleveland. The ordinance is intended to help close the gender wage gap and promote greater pay equity across the city.

New $100,000 Fee on H-1B Petitions – Legal Immigration

President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) imposing a $100,000 payment to accompany any new H-1B visa petitions submitted after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on September 21, 2025 and will remain in place for 12 months (unless extended).

Implications of Supreme Court Stay for Business Operations in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo

On September 8, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily reinstated immigration officers’ authority to conduct brief stops based on factors such as location, work type, language, or appearance. This stay in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo allows enforcement actions to resume in California pending appeal. Employers in industries like construction, agriculture, landscaping, and day labor should prepare for increased worksite disruptions and review compliance protocols.