Ohio BWC Board Presented With Agency Goals; Hiring Of Medical Director Announced

Columbus,  OH (CompNewsNetwork) - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator Marsha Ryan today presented the agency's fiscal year 2009 strategic goals to the BWC Board of Directors. She also announced the hiring of Robert J. Balchick, M.D., M.B.A., a bioscience, technology and healthcare expert, as the bureau's medical director.

“Dr. Balchick's extensive background in medicine and business are an extraordinary combination,” said Administrator Ryan. “His medical expertise and strong business acumen will be an asset to improving the medical services provided by BWC as we assist injured workers in achieving a timely and safe return to work.”

As medical director, Dr. Balchick will provide direction in the development of medical policy and provide oversight for all medical components related to workers' compensation claims. With more than 21 years clinical experience, Dr. Balchick most recently consulted on a variety of technology and medical-related ventures, helping clients determine the ability of products and services to succeed in the marketplace. He is founder of Mid Ohio Urology, Inc., where he practiced medicine from 1989 to 2005. Dr. Balchick holds an undergraduate degree from Ohio University, a medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and recently earned a Master of Business Administration degree from The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business.

Dr. Balchick will begin his duties on Sept. 2.

BWC management joined Administrator Ryan in presenting to the board BWC's primary strategic goals and performance metrics for fiscal year 2009. The presentation demonstrated how the goals relate to BWC's priorities of customer service, communications, internal controls, income management and cost control. Goals include: stabilizing costs; providing injured workers with prompt, cost effective and efficient medical care; establishing administrative processes and procedures that reflect the agency's commitment to high quality customer service; increasing equity between employers; and improving financial soundness and stability.

Ryan added, “Achieving our goals will have an overarching impact on BWC's operations, customers and stakeholders. By establishing performance metrics and identifying trends, we can target areas for improvement and build upon our successes.”

During the board's Thursday education session, representatives of Deloitte Consulting LLP delivered a presentation highlighting findings from the second portion of the comprehensive study of Ohio's workers' compensation system. The study, mandated in House Bill 100, focused on reserves, benefits, net assets, reinsurance and the administrative cost factor. Consultants are expected to present to the board again in October. The study is slated for completion in December.

Also Thursday, new director Thomas Pitts, and reappointed directors James Hummel and Larry Price were sworn in for three-year terms. Pitts represents injured employees and will serve on the board's actuarial and governance committees. Hummel represents large employers and Price represents the public.

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