The Group Retrospective Rating Plan is a voluntary performance-based incentive program sponsored by trade associations or professional organizations that is available to state-funded employers. The program is designed to reward participants that are able to keep their claim costs below a predetermined amount. Employers continue to pay their individual premium; however, they have the opportunity to receive retrospective premium adjustments (refunds or assessments) at the end of each of the three evaluation periods. Group Retro is not for every employer. Employers may be assessed additional premium if they are not committed to improving workplace safety and accident prevention and/or do not take appropriate action to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents involving their employees.

• Private, state-funded employer or public employer taxing district (self-insured and state agency public employers are not eligible);
• Current on any and all premium payments, administrative costs, assessments, fines or amounts owed to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC);
• Active coverage by the application deadline;
• No cumulative lapses in coverage in excess of 40 days within the 12 months preceding the application deadline;
• May not be a member of more than one retro group or a retro and non-retro group
• Homogeneous with the industry group of the retro group;
• If a workers’ compensation claim is incurred in the “green year period” (calendar year prior to the policy year), the employer shall attend two hours of safety training or complete the BWC’s online accident analysis form and online safety course.

A group’s retrospective premium will be recalculated at 12, 24, and 36 months after the end of the policy year. At the end of each period, the BWC will take a snap-shot of the incurred claims losses (indemnity, medical and reserves) for the entire group and calculate the group’s retrospective premium (minimum premium plus developed losses*). If the retrospective premium that is calculated is less than the group’s total standard premium, the participants will receive a refund. However, if the retrospective premium is greater than the group’s total standard premium, an assessment will be levied by BWC. Each group limits the maximum assessment by selecting a premium cap between 5% - 100% of merit rated premium.

Sample Premium Calculation

Note: Incurred losses used in the retrospective premium will be limited to $500,000 per claim and do not include surplus or VSSR costs. Salary continuation payments will also not be included, but the associated reserve will be included in the calculation).

Each employer within the sponsor’s group will need to complete an Employer Statement Form (U-153) stating their intention to participate in Group Retro.

While participating in the Group Retrospective Rating Plan, employers can participate in the following programs:

• Early Payment Discount (cannot be combined with the Go Green Discount)
• Safety Council (participation rebate only)

Note: Salary continuation may be utilized while participating in a group retrospective rating program

• Superior Claims Management and Cost Control Services
• eTEAM - web-based interactive resource for clients providing real-time access to claim information on a 24/7 basis
• Safety & Loss Control Consulting Services
• Quarterly Performance Updates