Glossary Check: Ohio 'Self-insurance,' 'Self-insuring Employer'

Columbus, OH (WorkersCompensation.com) -- In Ohio, as in other states, the rules regarding self-insuring employers are different from what applies to insured employers for purposes of workers' compensation law. So what are self-insurance and self-insuring employers in the Buckeye state. The following information breaks down the definitions.

Self-insurance

"Self-insurance" is a privilege granted or denied by the administrator.

Once granted the privilege of self-insurance, the employer determines the first level of a claim and must have employees with a working knowledge of current Ohio workers' compensation law and all rules and regulations of the bureau and the industrial commission. A self-insuring employer may, without any prior order from the industrial commission or the bureau, grant or refuse to grant any claim made under the Ohio Workers' Compensation Act.

In granting a claim or awarding payment of compensation or benefits, the employer may provide to its employees compensation or benefits that are greater than those required by law. The employer may not pay compensation or benefits less than that which is required by law.

Self-insuring employer

 "Self-insuring employers" are defined as those employers:

• Who demonstrate sufficient financial ability to carry their own insurance
• Who do not desire to insure the payment thereof
• Who secure authority from the administrator to pay compensation and benefits directly
• Who pay into the state insurance fund an assessment as established by a rule of the bureau
• Who pay to the bureau a contribution to the self-insuring employers' guaranty fund
• Who provide an additional security, where required by the bureau, in the amount or form that may be specified by the bureau

Want to know the latest from Ohio and the rest of the U.S.? Head to WorkCompResearch

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