WorkStar Health Services Frequently Asked Questions

MCO stands for “Managed Care Organization”. The MCO partners with the Ohio BWC to medically manage Ohio’s worker’s comp claims. The MCO is a private company that is selected by the employer. If the employer does not select an MCO, an MCO will be assigned to them at random. In addition, to medically managing the claim, the MCO files the first report of injury with the BWC, coordinates payment of medical bills and coordinates return to work for the injured worker.

There are currently 18 MCOs in the state of Ohio that have been certified by the Ohio BWC. In order to become certified as an MCO the organization goes through a very thorough application process with the Bureau and signs an agreement to comply with the guidelines of the Ohio BWC. WorkStar is proud to be the first newly certified MCO in Ohio since 2002.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is responsible for making initial claim and diagnoses determinations. The BWC also handles compensation for injured workers.

TPA stand for Third Party Administrator. The TPA is also a private company that an employer contracts with to represent the employer’s interests in the worker’s compensation arena. The TPA and the MCO are separate entities in terms of systems, office, and function.

Whenever a work-related injury occurs, it ideally should be reported to the employer immediately. Next the MCO should be contacted. The injured worker, employer, or provider may report the claim to their MCO by phone, fax, mail, or on-line. WorkStar Health Services will gather the necessary information for claim filing through conferring with all parties of the claim (injured worker, employer, and provider), and report the information to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. For injury reporting, you may call WorkStar Health Services at 1-800-256-8833 or fax First Report of Injury form to 1-800-256-9940. Claims may also be reported on-line via www.ohiobwc.com.

In emergency situations, the injured worker may seek treatment from any medical treatment facility or medical provider. After the initial treatment, injured workers must seek treatment from a BWC certified medical provider. You may contact WorkStar at 1-800-256-8833 or access our provider list at: www.interplanhealth.com.

In order to create a claim, the following information is most critical to begin the process: employer name and address, injured worker name, address, date of birth, and social security number, date of injury, provider name and address (if treatment sought), detailed accident description, and nature of injury. Injured workers, employers, or providers reporting work related injuries are encouraged to use and/or refer to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation First Report of Injury form (Spanish version) which includes the necessary information to file a claim.

The BWC makes this determination.

All injured workers who file a claim with BWC are assigned a unique number for that specific claim by the BWC. This usually takes about five to ten days. It is important to have this number when seeking treatment for a worker’s comp claim or when calling the BWC or the MCO to discuss the claim.

BWC is responsible for wage compensation determination and mailing compensation checks. Please refer all questions relating to wage compensation payments to BWC at 1-800-OHIOBWC.

A lost time claim occurs when an injured worker is off work for eight days or longer.

Coordination for the payment of medical bills on allowed claims is the responsibility of the MCO.

Yes. On the Ohio BWC's website (www.ohiobwc.com) employers and injured workers can set up an online account and view their claim information online.