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Every year, Ohio BWC releases the MCO Report Card, scoring MCOs in six categories. During MCO Open Enrollment every two years, the Report Card can play an important role in employers’ decision making. However, not everyone understands what all of these benchmarks mean, or they’re thrown off by how the numbers are represented. Most scores are represented in a horizontal bar chart with a vertical line representing the “statewide average” in that category. While the numbers may appear far apart on the graphs, they may be very close in value. It’s important to look at the actual numbers, not just visuals. It’s just as important to know what each category means, and why some of these benchmarks matter more to BWC than employers. The first two categories aren’t scores, but give you an idea of market share for each MCO. Page 2 shows the number of employers represented by each MCO, and how many active claims they were managing at the time the snapshot was taken. Page 3 showcases each MCO’s book of businesses across 12 industries. Everyone is close in market share – the biggest spread in any industry is 11% on the 2025 Report Card. It’s important to remember that “a claim is a claim.” Different industries have different needs, but that doesn’t mean one MCO will manage claims better for a trucking company because they have a higher market share in transportation. The first scored category is FROI Timing . FROI is the acronym for First Report of Injury. This is an average of the amount of days between the date of injury (DOI) and a claim being filed with BWC. The quicker this happens, the quicker the injured worker will be assigned a claim number – which makes things like filling prescriptions and getting into physical therapy much easier. FROI Turnaround scores are next. All MCOs are fairly close here, but faster is not always better. In this window of time, MCOs gather details from all involved parties and may communicate with your TPA on the matter. The MCO should verify all of the details and make sure there are no red flags prior to submitting. As an employer, you want your MCO to take the time to ensure the mechanism of injury lines up with everything else that’s been reported, as well as the medical necessity of treatments being requested. Provider Bill Timing measures the average number of days between the MCO receiving the provider bill and when it’s submitted to BWC for processing. The report card states that lower numbers are better here, but consider that your MCO is taking time to review the bills to ensure they’re marked down to state fee schedule and free of errors. Some MCOs utilize software or AI to complete this task, and some still do this manually by employee review. Billing delays can also be caused by things out of an MCO’s control - like missing claim or provider numbers, invoicing the wrong MCO, insufficient documentation, etc. These errors typically occur on the provider side, and the MCO must contact the provider to get it corrected before submitting. Provider Bill Accuracy scores an MCO on the accuracy of bills submitted to BWC for payment. Only specific errors outlined by BWC count as an error here. The score given is a percentage of an MCO’s correct bills submitted during a certain time period. For example, if an MCO had 1000 claims at that time and only four claims with errors, their score would be 99.6%. MCO Penalties: Capacity – This means an MCO cannot accept new employer assignments, and it can be implemented either by the MCO themselves, or by BWC. There are over a dozen reasons that this may occur, but the more likely culprits are violating BWC’s MCO marketing rules, unresolved weaknesses identified in compliance reports or audits, FROI turnaround over 2.5 days, or a major vendor change (such as a software) that could create volatility in everyday operations. Setoff – BWC can deduct from an MCO’s fee payments for things like FROI timing averaging over 12 days, provider billing averaging over 8 days, FROI system data accuracy under 94%, bill payment accuracy, and audit compliance. Withhold - BWC can withhold all or a portion of an MCO’s fee payment for “substantial failure” on the MCO’s part to fulfill its contractual obligations, or for the inappropriate approval of medical, non-medical and rehab services. Finally, the Employer Satisfaction Survey . The clinical and administrative benchmarks in the first five categories may not resonate with employers, since they’re not a big part of the day-to-day relationship between the employer and their MCO. MCOs were created by BWC to outsource the medical management of workers’ comp claims in Ohio. They’re all held to the same set of rules, with the same basic services expected out of each company. The level and quality of customer service is where many employers may notice a difference from one to the next. These scores are derived from surveys completed by Ohio BWC policyholders with at least one lost time claim. Employers rate their MCO on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being worst and 5 being best) in categories like response times, help with return-to-work strategies and programs, professionalism and case management. You can view the 2025 BWC MCO Report Card here .

What is an MCO?

Workers' compensation, especially in Ohio, comes with so many acronyms that it can be overwhelming to determine who is responsible for what. The team at Spooner Medical Administrators put together a helpful graphic to help cover the larger parts of the picture without getting into the weeds. 

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Promoting your business seasonally doesn’t have to mean expensive campaigns or time-consuming events. With a bit of creativity and strategic timing, you can boost visibility year-round—and many of these ideas are free or low-cost. Here's how to make a big impact in your community every season, without the heavy lift. 1. Create Seasonal Social Media Posts Use quick and timely posts tied to holidays, weather changes, or local events. A simple “Happy First Day of Spring” message with a relevant photo or special offer goes a long way. Plan ahead with a seasonal content calendar so you’re not scrambling. Chamber Bonus: The Beavercreek Chamber can help amplify your seasonal posts by sharing them on their social media platforms. Just tag them or send your promo content over! 2. Participate in Local Seasonal Events From summer festivals to holiday markets, these events are perfect for setting up a booth, distributing flyers, or just networking. Even a small presence makes a big impression. Pro Tip: Use the Chamber’s event calendar to stay in the loop or sponsor an event to get your name in front of hundreds of locals. 3. Decorate Your Space (Physically or Virtually) Dress up your storefront, office, or website to reflect the season. Even subtle seasonal accents show customers you’re engaged and timely. A cozy winter window display or bright summer vibes can attract foot traffic and shares on social media. 4. Offer Limited-Time Seasonal Deals People love a good deal—especially when there’s urgency. Offer a “Spring Refresh” package, “Back-to-School” special, or “Holiday Happy Hour” discount that runs for a short time. 5. Collaborate with Other Local Businesses Partner with a neighboring business for a joint seasonal promotion. For example, a salon and café might offer a “Pamper & Perk” summer deal. It’s a win-win that doubles your exposure. Chamber Bonus: Use the member directory to find potential partners or connect at Chamber networking events . 6. Host a Seasonal Giveaway Run a quick contest on social media like “Share your favorite fall photo and tag us to win!” Prizes can be as simple as a $20 gift card. You’ll grow engagement and attract new followers. 7. Send a Seasonal Email Newsletter Use free tools like Mailchimp to send a quarterly update with seasonal tips, offers, or upcoming events. Keep it short and valuable to stay top of mind. 8. Attend (or Teach) a Seasonal Workshop Spring cleaning tips? Holiday budgeting? Fall wellness? Use your expertise in a relevant workshop hosted by the Chamber or a local partner. Chamber Bonus: The Beavercreek Chamber offers workshops and speaking opportunities —great for showcasing your knowledge and building credibility. 9. Tap Into the Chamber’s Multi-Media Studio Create quick seasonal videos or podcasts with professional quality using the Chamber’s multi-media studio . A short “Holiday Tips from the Pros” or “Summer Must-Haves” video adds polish without the price tag. 10. Apply for the Business Development Grant While not specific to a season, if you have a promotional idea that needs a little funding boost—like signage for a holiday event or materials for a summer campaign—apply for the Chamber’s Business Development Grant (up to $8,000 annually!). Applications open June 1. Final Thoughts Promoting your small business seasonally doesn’t have to drain your budget or your time. The key is to stay consistent, be relevant to the season, and tap into existing resources—like those offered through your Beavercreek Chamber membership. Whether it's a simple post, a fun collab, or a community event, these seasonal touches show your business is active, thoughtful, and rooted in the community. Frequently Asked Questions Q: I don’t have a storefront—can I still promote seasonally? Absolutely! Digital decorations (like themed email headers or website banners), online giveaways, and virtual events are all great seasonal tools for service-based or home-based businesses. Q: How far in advance should I plan for a season? Try to plan 4–6 weeks ahead. For major holidays (like Christmas or back-to-school), consider starting even earlier to maximize exposure. Q: What if I don’t have a marketing team? You don’t need one! Many Chamber resources are designed for solopreneurs and small teams—like studio rentals, workshops, and member-to-member referrals. Not a Member yet? JOIN NOW at www.beavercreekchamber.org /join-today *Blog generated by ChatGPT

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Are you interested in learning more about the world of Digital Marketing? Looking to grow your business online, but don't know where to start? Join Alpha Digital on Tuesday, May 6th, 9am for a free quick 30 minute "Digital & Donuts" and learn. Alpha Digital marketing experts will be sharing tips, tricks, and tactics to navigate the digital world and get your business in front of potential customers. Join us for “Digital & Donuts” Tuesday May 6th 9am at the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce, 3210 Beaver Vu Dr, in Beavercreek!  Reservations are preferred but not required. Reserve your spot today by calling Michele Merkle at 937-510-5898 or email Michele.merkle@alphamediausa.com

Marketing can make or break a small business. But let’s be honest—most small business owners are juggling a hundred different things at once, and marketing sometimes gets put on the back burner. Sound familiar? The good news is that even small tweaks can make a big difference. Below are the top 10 mistakes small businesses make in their marketing—and what to do instead! 1. Not Having a Marketing Plan Imagine driving without a GPS. You might get somewhere, but it won’t be the fastest or smoothest route. The same goes for marketing! A clear strategy saves time, money, and headaches. Fix: Create a simple marketing plan that outlines your target audience, key messages, and goals. The Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce offers workshops to help members build a strong marketing strategy—take advantage of them! 2. Trying to Market to Everyone "Everyone" is not a target audience. If you try to reach everyone, you’ll connect with no one. Fix: Define your ideal customer. Where do they live? What are their interests? What problems can your product or service solve? Get specific. 3. Ignoring Online Presence If you don’t exist online, do you even exist? (At least in the eyes of potential customers!) Many small businesses neglect their websites or social media pages, making them nearly invisible to modern consumers. Fix: Keep your website updated, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. If you need help with social media marketing, the Beavercreek Chamber offers resources and training to get you on the right track! 4. Not Using Social Media Effectively Just posting a random photo once a month won’t cut it. Social media is a powerful tool—but only if you use it right. Fix: Be consistent! Post regularly, engage with followers, and create content that provides value. Don’t have time? Consider hiring a social media manager or using a scheduling tool. 5. Ignoring Email Marketing Many businesses think email marketing is outdated, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Done right, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to stay connected with customers. Fix: Build an email list and send valuable content (not just sales pitches). Need guidance? The Chamber offers marketing workshops that cover email strategies! 6. Not Tracking Marketing Efforts How do you know if your marketing is working? Many small businesses skip tracking their efforts, which means they could be wasting time and money. Fix: Use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and email open rates to measure success. Adjust your strategy based on the data. 7. Overlooking Local SEO If someone searches for a business like yours in your town, will they find you? If not, you’re missing out on easy traffic. Fix: Claim your Google My Business profile, encourage customer reviews, and use location-specific keywords on your website. 8. Underestimating the Power of Networking Marketing isn’t just about digital strategies—it’s about relationships too! Many small businesses forget that networking can bring in valuable leads and partnerships. Fix: Attend networking events, join your local Chamber of Commerce (like the Beavercreek Chamber!), and collaborate with other businesses. 9. Not Investing in Professional Branding A DIY logo and inconsistent branding make a business look unprofessional. Customers judge books by their covers—so make sure yours is polished! Fix: Hire a professional designer or use high-quality templates. Maintain a consistent look across your website, social media, and marketing materials. 10. Giving Up Too Soon Marketing is a long game. Too many small businesses throw in the towel when they don’t see immediate results. Fix: Stay consistent, keep testing different strategies, and be patient. Marketing success doesn’t happen overnight—but when done right, it pays off! Avoiding these common mistakes will help you build a stronger, more effective marketing strategy. And remember, the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce is here to support your business with networking, workshops, marketing assistance, and more. Not a Member yet? JOIN NOW at www.beavercreekchamber.org *Blog generated by ChatGPT