Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce

Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) play an important role for both employers and their injured employees. Not only do MCOs have an oversight function in the medical treatment and return-to-work process, but they are also responsible for the initial reporting of claims to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Studies show a clear correlation between the early documentation and reporting of a workplace injury and the duration of lost-time in claims. Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio is a key partner for our workers’ compensation program, and their own claim data validates this connection.  Recordkeeping and documentation One of the roles of an MCO is to collect the essential data elements of a workplace injury to initiate a workers’ compensation claim. Depending on the approach to collecting and arranging this information, the MCO can be an excellent warehousing partner for injury-related data. Sedgwick MCO provides clients a series of value-added reports designed to facilitate record keeping obligations of OSHA and PERRP. Many report options include an ongoing tally of lost workdays associated with each claim, as well as the number of modified duty workdays. Access to this information on a monthly, quarterly and especially an annual basis (early January) can help employers complete their OSHA 300 and PERRP posting that is due each February. MCOs should also be able to account for additional datapoints to help determine whether a workers’ compensation claim is OSHA-recordable. For example, if medications are prescribed in the treatment of a workplace injury, it may be OSHA recordable despite having incurred no lost or modified workdays. Similarly, if treatment for an injury includes services that exceed what is considered first-aid in nature, the injury may also be recordable despite involving no lost time. An example of this would be a laceration that involves stitches, but the employee returns to work immediately. Referencing medical billing codes to identify specific covered treatments can be a simple way to gather information that simplifies the OSHA and PERRP reporting process. Injury reporting The claim filing process depends on information from multiple parties, including the injured employee and the treating physician. But Sedgwick MCO encourages employers to take action as quickly as possible after a workplace incident to control this vital early stage of the process. Establishing post-injury protocols that include thorough documentation of the incident, as well as compiling information required by BWC, can accelerate a sound claim allowance decision. Early clarity on the nature of incident and injury can help frame the scope of the claim and define the medical conditions that are included for treatment. The First Report of Injury (FROI) is the standard BWC form that accommodates the required information and typically initiates a new claim. Many employers keep the FROI on-hand to serve as an incident report. Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio will provide clients with an Injury Reporting Packet, which can include the FROI and other forms and information to help guide both the employer and the injured employee through the claim process. Many employers have developed an incident report that collects much of the information required for the workers’ compensation claim. Consider modifications to your incident report that may facilitate a more efficient claim filing process. One of the best steps an employer can take to promote speed and accuracy in claim filing is to have an incident report completed quickly and sent directly to the managed care organization. Contact Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio If you feel there is room for improvement with your organization’s injury management program, or if you can use assistance organizing data for OSHA recording, consider Sedgwick MCO a resource. Every work environment is different, and Sedgwick can talk through your circumstances to build a process that works for you and your employees. Visit Sedgwick MCO online to explore information and tools that facilitate the injury documenting, reporting, and investigation process, or reach out directly to our team at ClientServices@Sedgwickmco.com .

James O. Oswald of Orrville passed away on February 24, 2024 following a brief illness. He was born June 1, 1944 in Berlin to the late John and Ida Lenhart Oswald. He was a forty-year member of the Wooster Grace Brethren Church. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Ruth Ann Mast Oswald, a son Todd (Karen) Oswald of Lakewood, Ohio, and daughter Lori (Bill) Dennis of Orrville, Ohio; grandchildren Tyler (Haley), Melanie, Blake (Bethany), and Molly Criss (Caleb); great-grandchildren Liam, Tatum, Treyson, Hattie Jo and Carter. He also had special nieces and a nephew, Amy, Kevin, and Winnie; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Gene and wife Donna of Berlin and sister Virginia and husband Jack Johnston of Wooster. Mr. Oswald earned degrees from Cedarville University and Central State University. He held numerous state and national professional board appointments as well as many local civic and philanthropic board and committee positions over the years. His employment included department head and assistant vice president for Institutional Advancement at The University of Akron. He was past president of the Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce and executive director of its Development Foundation. He retired in 2009 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a state grant administrator after twenty years. He was honored with listings in publications such as “Who's Who in America,” “Who's Who in the Midwest,” “International World Book of Honor,” and “Personalities of America.” He was the recipient of scores of districts, regional, state and national awards for management excellence. He was an avid genealogist, book collector, historian, reader of American and British literature and history, and thoroughly enjoyed playing golf. Above all, he loved his wife and watching their children participating in their careers and accomplishments, and his grandchildren with their sports activities, educational pursuits and personal lives. He especially cherished watching his wife reach the highest level of her academic career. Friends may call on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville, from2:00 pm to 2:45 pm. Services will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the funeral home, with Pastor Joel Zook officiating. A private burial of cremated remains will take place at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 heart.org