BUSINESS DIGEST || Open-enrollment period for employers

Open-enrollment period for employers

COLUMBUS

The open-enrollment period for Ohio employers to select organizations to manage medical treatment for their workers injured on the job will begin Monday and continue until May 27.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation offers an open-enrollment period every two years to allow employers to evaluate the services of their current managed-care organization (MCO) and determine if they would like to make a change.

BWC partners with a network of 15 MCOs that are the primary link among injured workers, medical providers, employers and BWC. MCOs manage claim filing and medical treatment and assist employers with the implementation of recovery and return-to-work programs. Employers satisfied with their MCO do not need to do anything. However, those considering a change can complete the MCO selection form online or download and print a blank form online, complete it and mail or fax it to BWC.

For employers who select a new MCO, the change will be effective July 4.

Appeals court: Amtrak can’t have regulatory role

WASHINGTON

A federal appeals court once again has ruled that Congress can’t give Amtrak power to impose rail standards on other private railroads.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said Friday it is unconstitutional to give a “self-interested” company regulatory power over competitors – even if Amtrak is a public-private hybrid.

A 2008 law directed the passenger rail company to work with federal regulators to create standards that help keep trains running on time. Those standards give Amtrak priority over freight trains along common tracks. The freight-railroad industry objected and filed a lawsuit challenging Amtrak’s authority.

The Supreme Court sent the case back, telling the lower court to consider that Amtrak was created by Congress with heavy government oversight and public subsidies.

Exxon sees smallest profit in 16 years; Chevron posts loss

DALLAS

Motorists are saving billions on cheaper gasoline, but the long slump in oil prices is taking a heavy toll on companies that find and produce crude.

Exxon Mobil posted its smallest quarterly profit in more than 16 years Friday, while Chevron lost $725 million, its worst showing since 2002, and raised the number of jobs it expects to cut this year from 7,000 to 8,000. Other oil companies are expected to report weak earnings in the next few days.

Oil prices have tumbled from their 2014 highs of more than $100 a barrel, bottoming out at under $30 in mid-February, because of a worldwide glut.

Staff/wire reports