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CLIENT ALERT: Ohio Managed Care Organization (MCO) Open Enrollment

Client Alert

Open Enrollment started April 30, and will continue through May 25, 2018, for your MCO (Managed Care Organization).  Every State Fund Ohio employer can select their MCO for the coming policy year.  The MCO is responsible for helping to manage Ohio Workers’ Compensation claim costs.  All State Fund employers will begin to receive correspondence urging them to select that particular MCO, or urging them not to make a switch.               

 

Legislation introduced in 1993, which eventually became law after amendments, made managed health care a part of the Ohio Workers’ Compensation system.  That system has evolved over the years, and MCOs now make initial decisions involving most medical management issues in state fund claims.  Their importance cannot be overstated, as the medical management often dictates the path a particular claim will take.  It would be a mistake for any State Fund Ohio employer to simply allow the “default” MCO manage their claims.  Instead, they should examine their MCO (every State Funded employer has one – and if the employer has not selected one, then one is selected for that employer at random), and decide whether they want to switch or keep their MCO.

 

The Ohio BWC provides helpful information for those looking for basic information (which can be found at https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/downloads/brochureware/brochures/MCOGuide.pdf).  Of course, anyone who wants to discuss their overall claims situation is free to contact Richard Williger, and I’d be happy to spend some time looking at their overall Experience.


Update on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Related Countries

USCIS has temporarily extended Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries from Haiti and several other countries following recent court action. Employers and TPS recipients should review EAD expiration dates, monitor ongoing developments, and ensure compliance with Form I-9 and E-Verify requirements.

HHS Accessibility Requirements for Medical Diagnostic Equipment: What Health Care Providers Need to Know

Health care providers that receive federal financial assistance are now subject to updated HHS accessibility requirements for medical diagnostic equipment under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. With the July 8, 2026, compliance deadline in effect, covered providers should ensure they have the required accessible equipment, train staff, and review operational practices to reduce compliance risk and provide accessible care for patients with disabilities.

Florida Super Lawyers® Recognizes Brennan Manna Diamond Attorneys to the 2026 Lists

BRENNAN, MANNA & DIAMOND is proud to announce that three of our attorneys have been designated to the 2026 Florida Super Lawyers® and Florida Rising Stars® lists. Super Lawyers is based on multiple categories of independent research and peer evaluation to identify outstanding lawyers.

Supreme Court Clears Path for TPS Terminations: What Employers Need to Know

The U.S. Supreme Court's June 25, 2026 decision in Mullin v. Doe and Trump v. Miot removed legal obstacles that had delayed the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria. The ruling also reinforces the administration's authority to terminate other TPS designations currently under review. Employers should immediately identify workers whose employment authorization is tied to affected TPS programs, review Form I-9 records, and prepare for forthcoming USCIS guidance before taking any employment action.

The Risks of Outsourcing Medical Billing and the Importance of State-Law Compliance

Offshoring medical billing and other administrative functions can reduce costs, but it also raises significant compliance, operational, and contractual risks. Although HIPAA does not explicitly prohibit protected health information from being accessed or stored outside the United States, healthcare providers and their vendors remain responsible for safeguarding patient information and complying with state-specific restrictions that may limit or prohibit offshore subcontracting.