Bureau Could Dismiss PPD Claims if Worker Misses Exam, New Rules Say

Monday, May 21, 2018 | 0

Ohio's Bureau of Workers' Compensation has posted the final version of new rules that would let it dismiss claims of permanent partial disability if the employee fails to attend a medical examination.

Under the current Ohio Administrative Code 4123-3-15.1, regulators can suspend the application for benefits only if the worker fails to respond to requests for an exam or misses the exam altogether.

The changes were required by legislation passed last fall and would help the bureau whittle down a backlog of cases, according to an analysis of the rule.

The changes also would allow the bureau to waive the 90-day exam on applications for temporary total disability.

A public hearing was held on the rule changes last month. The bureau's board of directors may consider them at an 8 a.m. meeting Thursday.