Ohio comp bureau launches rates investigation

COLUMBUS, Ohio--A special investigation unit of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation is looking to determine whether rates the bureau charges employers have been "inappropriately manipulated," a spokeswoman said today.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation is a monopoly insurer, providing coverage for more than 288,000 employers in the state. The spokeswoman declined to provide further details on how rates may have been manipulated.

But the spokeswoman did say that administrator William E. Mabe had asked internal auditors to review the calculation of employer rates and had learned that there is a possible problem.

"Meanwhile, our internal auditors are looking at processes and procedures to ensure we don't have problems in the future," the spokeswoman said.