BWC News

Where Have All the MCOs Gone?

Private sector managed care organizations (MCOs) such as University Hospitals CompCare help the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) manage and control the costs of medical care for work-related injuries and illnesses.

In the spring of 1997, all 285,000 Ohio employers had to select an MCO, or the state assigned them one. Nearly 60 MCOs sprang up and clamored to offer their services in this mandatory, fledgling marketplace.

In recent months, however, the MCO outlook has changed. The state is putting substantially more pressure on MCOs to perform at a high level. In addition, MCOs that invested in technology and customer service have gained a dramatic advantage over those that adopted a more short-term view. As a result, some organizations are bowing out of the state’s Health Partnership Program or reorganizing themselves.

University Hospitals CompCare, on the other hand, has invested in its people and technology to improve its already exemplary performance.