Section 4123-18-16 - Self-insuring employer's obligation to provide vocational rehabilitation services(A) Employers who provide compensation and benefits pursuant to section 4123.35 of the Revised Code shall furnish all eligible and feasible injured workers with vocational rehabilitation services equal to or greater in quality and content than the services administered by the bureau and managed by the managed care organizations (MCOs).(B) Upon referral, a self-insuring employer will determine whether the injured worker is eligible and feasible for vocational rehabilitation services using the criteria set forth in rule 4123-18-03 of the Administrative Code. If it is determined that the injured worker is eligible and feasible for vocational rehabilitation services, the self-insuring employer shall provide vocational rehabilitation case management services equal to or greater in quality and content than the services administered by the bureau and managed by the MCOs, utilizing the services of a provider who meets the minimum credentialing criteria set forth in rule 4123-6-02.2 of the Administrative Code. The self-insuring employer will submit a copy of the approved vocational rehabilitation plan to the injured worker and the injured worker's representative.(C) The bureau will inspect and review the quality and content of authorized self- insuring employers' vocational rehabilitation services in order to determine whether or not such services are equal to or greater in quality and content than the services administered by the bureau and managed by the MCOs. Such inspections and reviews will be conducted upon receipt of evidence indicating that a self-insuring employer's vocational rehabilitation services are of a lesser quality than the services administered by the bureau and managed by the MCOs.(D) The bureau may direct complaints of sub-standard vocational rehabilitation programs to the bureau's self-insured department for review.(E) The self-insuring employer will promptly pay living maintenance, wages in lieu of compensation, or salary continuation directly to the injured worker, in accordance with rule 4123-18-04 of the Administrative Code.Ohio Admin. Code 4123-18-16
Effective: 10/1/2024
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 7/9/2024 and 10/01/2029
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30, 4123.05
Rule Amplifies: 4121.61, 4121.65, 4121.66, 4123.35
Prior Effective Dates: 07/10/1980, 12/07/1982, 02/03/1992, 01/01/2001, 11/05/2009, 03/01/2020, 05/15/2023