Cambridge, MA, October 19, 2023 – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that medical payments per workers’ compensation claim in Indiana changed little between 2016 and 2021.
Press Releases
WCRI: Medical Payments for the Treatment of Injured Workers in Indiana Stable between 2016 and 2021, but Masked Offsetting Changes
October 19 2023
WCRI: Cost of Medical Treatment for Workers Injured on the Job in Delaware Decreased During the Pandemic, Benefit Payments Increased
October 12 2023
Cambridge, MA, October 12, 2023 — A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that total costs per claim with more than seven days of lost time in Delaware decreased in 2020 and then increased in 2021 (claims evaluated as of March 2022). Changes in the availability of medical services and economic conditions were the main factors behind the 2020 and 2021 findings.
WCRI: Medical Payments Continued to Decline in 2021, Reflecting Lingering Effects of Pandemic
October 05 2023
Cambridge, MA, October 5, 2023 ― Medical payments per claim decreased more than 3 percent in most of the 17 study states for 2021 injuries with experience through March 2022, according to a new set of studies by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The main driver of this was a decrease in utilization of medical services, likely the result of the pandemic.
WCRI Holds Webinar on Long COVID in the Workers’ Compensation System in 2020 and 2021
September 14 2023
Cambridge, MA, Sept. 15, 2023 – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will hold a 30-min. webinar on its study Long COVID in the Workers' Compensation System in 2020 and 2021 on Tues., Oct. 3, 2023, at 2:00 pm ET. Author Dr. Bogdan Savych will share findings from the study and take audience questions.
WCRI Study Examines Impact of Workforce Changes on Workers’ Compensation Outcomes
August 31 2023
Cambridge, MA, August 31, 2023 – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found the recent economic trends and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had important impacts on the workers’ compensation system.
WCRI: Long COVID Affected 6 Percent of Workers with COVID-19 Claims in 2020 and 2021
August 17 2023
Cambridge, MA, August 17, 2023 – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that 6 percent of workers with COVID-19 developed long COVID, and many of these workers continued receiving medical care a year after their infections. This study expands prior evidence from early in the pandemic, showing persistent rates of long COVID for infections through 2021.
WCRI Webinar on Medical Inflation in Workers’ Compensation
August 14 2023
Join the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) for a 30-min. webinar on Wed., Sept. 6, 2023, at 2:00 pm ET as authors Olesya Fomenko and Rebecca Yang discuss findings and answer questions from Insights into Medical Inflation in Workers’ Compensation—A WCRI FlashReport.
WCRI: No Evidence of a Steep Medical Price Growth in Workers’ Compensation during the Recent Inflationary Period
August 03 2023
Cambridge, MA, August 3, 2023 – The steep growth in consumer prices for energy, food, and housing over the last few years created concerns about potential rising inflation in medical care. A new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study found that, overall, there was no evidence of faster growth in workers’ compensation medical prices and payments in most states over the high inflation period of 2021-2022.
WCRI: Hospital Outpatient Payments Lower and Growing Slower in States with Fixed-Amount Fee Schedules
May 31 2023
Cambridge, MA, May 31, 2023 – During these times when rising hospital costs are a focus of public policy debates, a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) finds that hospital outpatient payments are lower and growing slower in states with fixed-amount fee schedules.
WCRI: Pandemic May Have Played Role in Decrease of Medical Payments per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Virginia
May 23 2023
Cambridge, MA, May 30, 2023 – Medical payments per workers' compensation claim in Virginia at 12 months of maturity decreased 5.6 percent between 2019 and 2020 and 7.9 percent between 2020 and 2021, according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
WCRI: Substantial Variation Found in Prices Paid for Professional Medical Services to Treat Injured Workers in 36 States
May 18 2023
Cambridge, MA, May 18, 2023 ― Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released an updated version of its study that compares prices paid for a similar set of medical professional services for treating injured workers across 36 states and monitors price changes from 2008 to 2022.
WCRI: Changes in Texas Duration of Temporary Disability May Relate to COVID-19 Pandemic
May 16 2023
Cambridge, MA, May 16, 2023 – Trends in indemnity components in Texas differed between 2016 and 2021, though wages of workers with injuries grew more than 3 percent per year from 2016 to 2019, according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
WCRI: COVID-19 Pandemic Likely Contributed to the Trends in Indemnity Benefits in Massachusetts
May 09 2023
Cambridge, MA, May 9, 2023 – Indemnity benefits per claim in Massachusetts decreased 7 percent in 2021 following a sizeable increase in the previous year. Duration of temporary disability was a major driver of indemnity trends in both years, according to a recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
WCRI: Total Costs per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Illinois Changed Little during the Pandemic
May 02 2023
Cambridge, MA, May 2, 2023 – The average total cost per claim in Illinois changed little between 2019 and 2021 for injuries evaluated as of the first quarter of 2022, according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
2023 WCRI Annual Report Now Available
April 27 2023
Cambridge, MA, April 27, 2023 – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced today that its 2023 WCRI Annual Report is now available on its website. The report takes a comprehensive look at all of the Institute’s activities in 2022, from the studies published to how that research was used by policymakers and other stakeholders.
WCRI: Florida Costs per Claim Remained Stable in the First Two Years of COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25 2023
Cambridge, MA, April 25, 2023—Total costs per claim with more than seven days of lost time in Florida remained stable in 2020 and 2021, following moderate growth of 4–5 percent per year from 2016 to 2019, according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
WCRI: COVID-19 Pandemic Continues to Impact Indemnity Benefits and Medical Payments in Various States
April 18 2023
Cambridge, MA, April 18, 2023 – A new series of 14 studies from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found medical payments per claim decreased while indemnity benefits per claim continued to grow in 2020 and 2021 in many states, likely reflecting the impact of changes in economic conditions and usage of medical care during the early COVID-19 pandemic period.
WCRI Releases National Inventory of State Regulations Affecting Prescription Drugs
April 04 2023
Cambridge, MA, April 4, 2023―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a new report that gathers in one place the numerous state regulations affecting prescription drugs in all 50 states, including workers with injuries.
Ramona Tanabe to Succeed John Ruser as New WCRI CEO
April 03 2023
Cambridge, MA, April 3, 2023―The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced today that executive vice president Ramona Tanabe has been named to succeed John Ruser as the new CEO of the Institute. She will assume responsibilities on May 1, 2023. Current CEO John Ruser has served in the position since 2015. John will stay on temporarily as advisor to the CEO to ensure a smooth transition.
New WCRI Studies Monitor the Impact of Drug Formularies
March 30 2023
Cambridge, MA, March 30, 2023―A series of studies from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines the impact of formularies on prescription drug utilization and costs in five states (Arkansas, California, Indiana, Kentucky, and New York) that implemented formularies in 2018 and 2019. They also examine the effect on physician dispensing and generic utilization in states with applicable formulary rules.
New WCRI Study Compares Physicians’ Involvement in the Workers’ Compensation System across 34 States
March 28 2023
Cambridge, MA, March 28, 2023―A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) helps policymakers and stakeholders get an informed view about access to providers in their states by describing the medical workforce treating workers with injuries. The study shows how often physicians treat workers with injuries, examines the volume and the types of services that physicians provide, and examines how these providers fit within…
WCRI: Costs to Treat Injured Workers Increase 8 Percent after Physician Practices Are Acquired by Hospitals
March 16 2023
Cambridge, MA, March 16, 2023―A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines the impact of vertical integration of medical providers on payments for workers’ compensation care. In particular, it shows how payments for care provided by physicians to workers with injuries changed after hospitals and health systems acquired physician practices.
Panel to Discuss the Impact of the Labor Shortage at 2023 WCRI Conference
March 02 2023
Cambridge, MA, March 2, 2023― Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) shared information about a panel on the “Impact of the Labor Shortage” that will be held at its 2023 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 21-22 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown in Phoenix, Arizona.
WCRI Identifies Factors Associated with Extended Use of Physical Medicine Services
March 01 2023
Cambridge, MA, March 1, 2023―Extended physical medicine (PM) use was relatively frequent in most study states and less coordination of care was among the key factors associated with a higher likelihood of having extended PM use, finds a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
WCRI Announces Panel on Changes in the Workplace at 2023 Conference
February 16 2023
Cambridge, MA, Feb. 16, 2023― Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) shared information about a panel on “Changes in the Workplace” that will be held at its 2023 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 21-22 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown in Phoenix, AZ. The conference theme is "Disruption, Resilience, and Evolution."
WCRI: Patient-Reported Outcomes Offer New Insights into Workers’ Recoveries
February 14 2023
Cambridge, MA, Feb. 14, 2023―A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) finds that workers’ compensation patients with low back pain reported lower improvements in functional status score following physical therapy than patients covered by other payment systems.
Noted Labor Economist David Autor to Keynote 2023 WCRI Conference
February 07 2023
Cambridge, MA, Feb. 7, 2022― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced today that acclaimed MIT economist David Autor will keynote the 2023 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 21-22 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown in Phoenix, AZ.
New WCRI Study Finds that 7 Percent of Workers with COVID-19 Claims Developed Long COVID
January 26 2023
Cambridge, MA, Jan. 26, 2023―A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that 7 percent of workers with COVID-19 claims received treatment for long COVID after the acute period of the infection. While long COVID prevalence was the highest among workers who were hospitalized during an acute stage of disease, even some workers with limited medical care early after the infection developed long COVID symptoms.
WCRI: Emergency Department Use among Injured Workers Varied across States
December 19 2022
Cambridge, MA, Dec. 19, 2022―A new 28-state study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found substantial variation across states in the rates of emergency department (ED) use among workers seeking care for new injuries during the period from the first quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2021.
WCRI Webinar: Behavioral Health in Workers’ Compensation
November 22 2022
Cambridge, MA, Nov. 22, 2022 – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a free 30-minute webinar on its recent study A Primer on Behavioral Health Care in Workers’ Compensation on Thursday Dec. 15, 2022, at 2pm ET.
WCRI: Medical Payments per Claim in Indiana Decreased in 2020, Reflect Some Impact from the COVID-19 Pandemic
November 17 2022
Cambridge, MA, Nov. 17, 2022―Medical payments per claim decreased in Indiana for 2020 injuries with experience through March 2021 after growing in 2019, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). This fluctuation in medical payments, in part, reflects factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical Payments per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Michigan Decreased 4 Percent in 2020, Reflect Impact from COVID-19
November 10 2022
Cambridge, MA, Nov. 10, 2022―The average medical payment per claim decreased 4 percent in Michigan for 2020 injuries with experience through March 2021, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). This reflects factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the earlier period from 2015 to 2019, medical payments per claim grew 4 percent per year.
WCRI: Indemnity Benefits in New York Grew 10 Percent in 2020/2021, Reflects, in Part, Impact of COVID-19
October 20 2022
Cambridge, MA, October 20, 2022 ― A new report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that indemnity benefits per claim grew 10 percent for 2020 non-COVID-19 claims evaluated in 2021 (2020/2021 claims) after being mostly stable since 2015 in New York. Medical payments per claim decreased 5 percent in 2020/2021, following a rapid increase the previous year. Both the increase in indemnity benefits and decrease in medical…
Delaware Workers’ Compensation System the Focus of Upcoming WCRI Webinar
October 19 2022
Cambridge, MA, Oct. 19, 2022 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a free 30-minute webinar on Nov. 17, 2022, at 2 p.m. ET on its study Trends in the Delaware Workers’ Compensation System, 2015–2020.
WCRI: Medical Payments per Claim in Florida Decreased 5 Percent in 2020, Reflect Some Impact from the COVID-19 Pandemic
October 13 2022
Cambridge, MA, October 13, 2022 ― Medical payments per claim decreased 5 percent in Florida for 2020 injuries with experience through March 2021, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). This likely reflects factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the earlier period from 2015 to 2019, medical payments per claim grew 4–5 percent per year.
Registration Now Open for 2023 WCRI Conference
October 12 2022
Cambridge, MA, Oct. 12, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced registration is now open for the Institute’s 39th Annual Issues & Research Conference, March 21-22, 2023. This year’s conference is being held in person at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel.
WCRI: Medical Payments Decreased in Half the Study States in 2020, Due to COVID-19
October 06 2022
Cambridge, MA, October 6, 2022 ― Medical payments per claim decreased more than 3 percent in half the 18 study states for 2020 injuries with experience through March 2021, according to a new set of studies by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). This likely reflects factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the earlier period from 2015 to 2019, medical payments per claim were stable or grew moderately across the study…
WCRI: Data Supports That Delaware Has Met the Medical Expenses Reduction Goal Set Out in HB 373
September 14 2022
Cambridge, MA, Sept. 14, 2022 — A new report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found the average medical payment per claim (regardless of the claim maturity and claim base [all claims or lost-time claims]) decreased about 33 percent between 2014 and 2017 in Delaware, which was the main goal of House Bill (HB) 373.
Latest Drug Trends in 28 States the Focus of Upcoming Free WCRI Webinar
September 01 2022
Cambridge, MA, Sept. 1, 2022 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a free 45-minute webinar on Sept. 29, 2022, at 2 p.m. ET on its FlashReport, Interstate Variation and Trends in Workers’ Compensation Drug Payments: 2018Q1 to 2021Q1. Two of the study’s authors, Dr. Vennela Thumula and Dongchun Wang, will discuss its key findings and take audience questions.
WCRI: Psychosocial Factors Can Act as Barriers to Recovery Following a Work-Related Injury
August 16 2022
Cambridge, MA, August 16, 2022 – As concerns about behavioral health problems increased in recent years, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) heard through system stakeholder interviews that early screening for psychosocial risk factors is important to prevent delayed recovery.
WCRI: Designing a Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Schedule Involves a Delicate Balance
June 28 2022
Cambridge, MA, June 28, 2022 – As policymakers seek to implement or change price controls in their state workers’ compensation system with a fee schedule, a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) highlights the important design choices faced in adopting, reforming, and updating them.
WCRI: Use of Telemedicine for E&M Services Still Higher in 2021 than Prior to the Pandemic, but Physical Medicine Closer to the Pre-Pandemic Level
June 23 2022
Cambridge, MA, June 23, 2022 — Following the substantial increase in the second quarter of 2020 (2020Q2), use of telemedicine decreased starting in 2020Q3 and stabilized in subsequent quarters. According to a new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) FlashReport, telemedicine’s share of evaluation and management (E&M) services was still higher at 3 percent in 2021Q1 as compared with 0.2 percent pre-pandemic, while the…
Dermatological Agents Continue to Increase as Opioids Decline for Workplace Injuries, Finds New WCRI Study
June 16 2022
Cambridge, MA, June 16, 2022 ― A new FlashReport from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) finds that in several states, payments for dermatological agents continued to increase, driven by increased dispensing of higher-priced drug products either from physicians’ offices or from mail-order pharmacies.
WCRI: Hospital Outpatient Payments at Least 60% Higher in Most States without Fixed-Amount Fee Schedules
May 31 2022
Cambridge, MA, May 31, 2022 – Hospital outpatient payments were higher and growing faster in states with percent-of-charge-based fee regulations or no fee schedules, finds a study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The study, the latest in an annual series, compares hospital payments for a group of common outpatient surgeries in workers’ compensation across 36 states from 2005 to 2020.
WCRI: Prices Paid for Similar Professional Medical Services for Treating Injured Workers Varied Significantly across 36 States
May 26 2022
Cambridge, MA, May 26, 2022 ― Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released an updated version of its study that compares prices paid for medical professional services across 36 states and monitors price changes from 2008 to 2021, which includes just over a year of medical services delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WCRI Hosts Webinar on Patterns and Outcomes of Chiropractic Care
May 25 2022
Cambridge, MA, May 24, 2022 —The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will hold a 60-minute webinar on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss findings from a recently published WCRI study Chiropractic Care for Workers with Low Back Pain.
WCRI: Michigan Total Costs per Workers’ Compensation Claim Lowest of Study States; Rapid Increase in Indemnity Benefits per Claim in 2020 Likely Reflects Impact of COVID-19
May 19 2022
Cambridge, MA, May 19, 2022 –Total costs per workers’ compensation claim in Michigan for non-COVID-19 claims in 2020 were stable, the result of offsetting factors, according to a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Although medical payments and benefit delivery expenses per claim decreased, there was rapid growth in indemnity benefits per claim, which was driven by increases in the average duration of…
Chiropractic Care for Workers with Injuries Varied Greatly across 28 States, Finds New WCRI Study
May 17 2022
Cambridge, MA, May 17, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced the release of a new study on chiropractic care for low back pain. The study reveals substantial variation in the use of chiropractic care across 28 states and offers insights into the patterns and outcomes of chiropractic care.
WCRI: Increase in Temporary Disability Duration per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Minnesota a Key Driver of Indemnity Growth in 2020, May Reflect Early Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
May 12 2022
Cambridge, MA, May 12, 2022 – Duration of temporary disability (TD) benefits per claim in Minnesota increased nearly one week in 2020 for non-COVID-19 claims. This was a key driver of the increase in indemnity benefits per workers’ compensation claim in that year, according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Both claims with TD benefits and claims with permanent partial disability…
WCRI: Indemnity Benefits per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Illinois Increased 11 Percent in 2020, Possibly an Effect of COVID-19
May 05 2022
Cambridge, MA, May 5, 2022 – Indemnity benefits per claim increased 11 percent in 2020; two-thirds of this growth was driven by an increase in duration of temporary disability (about a week); a third of the growth was driven by an increase in wages of workers with injuries, according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
WCRI: Increase in Temporary Disability Duration in 2020 Seen Across Many States, May Reflect Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
April 28 2022
Cambridge, MA, April 28, 2022 – A new edition of CompScope™ Benchmarks from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found indemnity benefits increasing in most states due to an increase in temporary disability (TD) duration in 2020 as a result of the economic slowdown during the pandemic.
New Information Related to COVID-19 Contained in Tool for Comparing Workers’ Compensation Laws in U.S. and Canada
April 26 2022
Cambridge, MA, April 26, 2022 – A new report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) and the International Association of Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) to identify the similarities and distinctions between workers’ compensation regulations and benefit levels in U.S. states and Canadian provinces now includes information related to the pandemic.
WCRI Hosts Webinar on Long COVID-19 Initiative at Brown University School of Public Health
April 15 2022
Cambridge, MA, April 19, 2022 —The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will hold a free 45-minute webinar on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss Brown University School of Public Health's Long COVID Initiative. Representing the school will be Dr. Francesca L. Beaudoin, interim chair and associate professor of epidemiology.
2022 WCRI Annual Report Now Online
March 31 2022
Cambridge, MA, March 31, 2022 – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced today that its 2022 annual report is available on its website. The report takes a comprehensive look at all of the Institute’s activities in 2021, from the studies that were published to how that research was used by policymakers and other stakeholders.
State of the Workers’ Compensation System to Be Discussed at WCRI Conference
March 09 2022
Cambridge, MA, March 9, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that a panel will discuss the state of the workers’ compensation system at the 38th Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 16-17, 2022, in Boston, MA.
Dr. Sandro Galea to Discuss Short- and Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19 at WCRI Conference
March 03 2022
Cambridge, MA, March 3, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that Dr. Sandro Galea would deliver the keynote address on day two of the 38th Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 16-17, 2022, in Boston, MA. Dr. Galea is a well-known physician, epidemiologist, author, dean, and Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of Public Health.
WCRI Conference Panel Discusses the Future of the Workplace after COVID-19
February 24 2022
Cambridge, MA, February 24, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that a panel will discuss the future of the workplace after COVID-19 at the 38th Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 16-17, 2022, in Boston, MA.
Preliminary Results from Provider Consolidation Study on the Agenda at 2022 WCRI Conference
February 16 2022
Cambridge, MA, February 16, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that preliminary results from the WCRI study Effect of Provider Consolidation on Payments for Medical Care Provided to Workers with Injuries will be shared at the Institute’s 38th Annual Issues & Research Conference, March 16-17, 2022, in Boston, MA.
Preliminary Research on Chiropractic Care to Be Shared at 2022 WCRI Conference
February 01 2022
Cambridge, MA, February 1, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that preliminary research on the patterns and outcomes of chiropractic care will be shared at the Institute’s 38th Annual Issues & Research Conference, March 16-17, 2022, in Boston, MA.
Preliminary Research on Drug Formularies to Be Shared at 2022 WCRI Conference
January 25 2022
Cambridge, MA, January 25, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that preliminary research on the impact of drug formularies will be shared at the Institute’s 38th Annual Issues & Research Conference, March 16-17, 2022, in Boston, MA.
New WCRI Study Examines Use and Reimbursement of Telemedicine to Treat Injured Workers
December 16 2021
Cambridge, MA, Dec. 16, 2021 — With telemedicine rising as an important alternative for access to care during the pandemic, a new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) FlashReport examines the utilization patterns of telemedicine services and the prices paid for these services in workers’ compensation systems across states during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Registration Now Open for 2022 WCRI Conference
December 02 2021
Cambridge, MA, Dec. 2, 2021―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced registration is now open for the Institute’s 38th Annual Issues & Research Conference, March 16-17, 2022. This year’s conference is being held in person at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston and the theme is “Emerging and Learning from Disruption.”
Delaware Workers’ Compensation System Examined in New WCRI Study
November 18 2021
Cambridge, MA, November 18, 2021 — Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released the first edition of an annual report on measures of the Delaware workers’ compensation system.
Medical Payments per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Wisconsin among Highest of 18 States Studied; Payments per Claim Changed Little from 2014 to 2019
November 16 2021
Cambridge, MA, Nov. 16, 2021 – Medical payments per claim with more than seven days of lost time in Wisconsin were among the highest of 18 states studied and changed little from 2014 to 2019, according a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
Medical Payments per Workers’ Compensation Claim Stable in Texas; Lower Than Typical in 18-State Study
November 09 2021
Cambridge, MA, Nov. 9, 2021 – Medical payments per claim with more than seven days of lost time were lower in Texas than the typical state in an 18-state study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
Medical Payments per Workers’ Compensation Claim Stable in North Carolina, Lower Than the Median in 18-State Study
November 01 2021
Cambridge, MA, Nov. 2, 2021 – Medical payments per workers’ compensation claim with more than seven days of lost time were fairly stable in North Carolina from 2014 to 2019, with the average payment lower than the median of 18 states studied, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
WCRI Webinar on Prescribing of Topical Analgesics and Gabapentinoids for Work-Related Injuries
October 29 2021
Cambridge, MA, Oct. 29, 2021 —The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will hold a 45-minute webinar on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss its latest research on the growing use of gabapentinoids and topical analgesics to treat workers with injuries.
In Study of 18 States, Average Medical Payment for Indiana Workers’ Compensation Claims Higher Than Typical
October 26 2021
Cambridge, MA, Oct. 26, 2021 – The average medical payment for workers’ compensation claims with more than seven days of lost time was higher in Indiana than the typical state in a study of 18 states, according to a recent report by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
Numerous Reforms to New York Workers’ Compensation System Tracked in New WCRI Study
October 21 2021
Cambridge, MA, October 21, 2021 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a new report, Monitoring Trends in the New York Workers’ Compensation System, 2021 Edition, today for policymakers and system stakeholders to track the performance of the New York workers’ compensation system.
Medical Payments per Workers’ Compensation Claim in California Stable since 2015; Average Prescription Payments Decreased since 2013
October 19 2021
Cambridge, MA, Oct. 19, 2021 – Medical payments per workers’ compensation claim with more than seven days of lost time have been fairly stable in California since 2015, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Compared with other study states, medical payments per all paid claims in California were 11 percent lower than the 18-state median for 2017 claims, evaluated as of 2020.
New WCRI Studies Examine Payments, Prices, and Utilization of Medical Care for Workers with Injuries in 18 States
October 12 2021
Cambridge, MA, October 12, 2021 – A new set of studies released by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines the factors behind trends in medical payments per claim in state workers’ compensation systems and the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on those costs.
WCRI Report Examines How Lessons from Prior Economic Downturn May Apply to Workers’ Compensation in Pandemic
October 07 2021
Cambridge, MA, October 7, 2021 — Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a new WCRI FlashReport that shows how indemnity benefits and medical utilization changed during the prior economic downturn and subsequent recovery. It also presents multiple measures describing changes in the labor market that are likely to shape trends in workers’ compensation payments for injuries in 2020 and 2021.
Free WCRI Webinar Discusses Effects of Opioid-Related Policies on Opioid Utilization after Work-Related Injuries
September 30 2021
Cambridge, MA, Sept. 30, 2021 — The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will hold a free 45-minute webinar on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss findings from a recent WCRI study Effects of Opioid-Related Policies on Opioid Utilization, Nature of Medical Care, and Duration of Disability.
Does Use and Early Use of Manual Therapy Make a Difference?
September 14 2021
Cambridge, MA, Sept. 14, 2021 ― Workers with low back pain (LBP) who received manual therapy (MT) early within two weeks of their physical therapy care (PT) had lower medical costs and fewer days away from work than those who received it later, according to a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). MT is hands-on therapy that improves range of motion and reduces pain.
Use of Topical Analgesics for Treating Pain among Injured Workers Examined in New WCRI Study
August 26 2021
Cambridge, MA, August 26, 2021 ― As topical analgesics for treating injured workers have become a growing prescription cost driver, a new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study examines how often and what types are being dispensed, and if their prescribing is in line with guideline recommendations.
New WCRI Study Examines Growing Use of Off-Label Gabapentinoids for Work-Related Injuries
August 17 2021
Cambridge, MA, August 17, 2021 ― With a growing number of workers receiving gabapentinoids (e.g., Neurontin®, Lyrica®) for managing pain arising from work-related injuries and increasing safety and abuse concerns, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) has released a new study that examines their use for work-related injuries and illnesses across 28 states.
WCRI Welcomes New Vice President of Research
August 05 2021
Cambridge, MA, August 5, 2021 ― Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that Dr. Sebastian Negrusa has joined the Cambridge-based Institute to manage WCRI’s research programs and accelerate the Institute’s focus on new and evolving research topics on important workers’ compensation issues.
Policies Reduced the Amount of Opioids Prescribed to Injured Workers without Eliminating Access, Finds New WCRI Study
July 29 2021
Cambridge, MA, July 29, 2021 ― A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines the effects of must-access prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and recent regulations limiting the duration of initial opioid prescriptions on various outcomes for workers with work-related injuries.
No Noticeable Pandemic-Related Delay in Medical Treatment for Injured Workers for Non-COVID-19 Claims, Finds New WCRI Study
July 22 2021
Cambridge, MA, July 22, 2021 ― A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) investigates patterns of medical care access and utilization that are specific to workers’ compensation during the first quarters of 2020 to understand how the timing and delivery of medical treatment were impacted by the pandemic.
Free WCRI Webinar on Workers’ Compensation Drug Trends Across 28 States
June 03 2021
Cambridge, MA, June 3, 2021 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a free 45-minute webinar on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 2 p.m. ET on its FlashReport, Interstate Variation and Trends in Workers’ Compensation Drug Payments: 2017Q1 to 2020Q1. Two of the study’s authors, Dr. Vennela Thumula and Dongchun Wang, will discuss its key findings and take audience questions.
Dermatological Agents and NSAIDs Are Leading Prescription Cost Drivers in New 28-State WCRI Drug Trends Study
May 25 2021
Cambridge, MA, May 25, 2021 ― A new FlashReport from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) finds that in most states, dermatological agents and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have become more important than other drug groups as a share of total prescription payments. In the typical state, dermatological agents and NSAIDs each accounted for about 20 percent of total prescription payments in the first quarter of…
WCRI Releases New Edition of Medical Price Index for Workers’ Compensation
May 18 2021
Cambridge, MA, May 18, 2021 ― Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released an updated version of its study that helps compare prices paid for medical professional services across 36 states and monitor price changes from 2008 to 2020, which includes the beginning months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total Costs per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Illinois Increased Less Than 3 Percent per Year, Finds WCRI Report
May 13 2021
Cambridge, MA, May 13, 2021 – Total costs per workers’ compensation claim with more than seven days of lost time in Illinois have grown between 1 and 3 percent per year since 2012 (depending on the claim maturity), according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
Hospital Outpatient Payments Higher and Growing Faster in Most States with Charge-Based Fee Regulations or No Fee Schedules, Finds WCRI Study
May 06 2021
Cambridge, MA, May 6, 2021 – Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a new study, Hospital Outpatient Payment Index: Interstate Variations and Policy Analysis, 10th Edition, which compares hospital payments for a group of common outpatient surgeries in workers’ compensation across 36 states from 2005 to 2019.
Total Costs per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia Stable, Finds WCRI Study
April 29 2021
Cambridge, MA, April 29, 2021 – Total costs per claim for claims with more than seven days of lost time were mostly stable in Georgia from 2008 to 2019, according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
Webinar: Reoperation & Readmission Rates for Workers’ Compensation Patients Undergoing Lumbar Surgery
April 27 2021
Cambridge, MA ─ The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is hosting a one-hour webinar on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET on its study, Reoperation and Readmission Rates for Compensated Patients Undergoing Lumbar Surgery. The study's authors, Dr. Rebecca Yang and Dr. Randy Lea, will discuss the main results and answer questions from the audience.
Total Costs per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Florida Grew Moderately since 2014, Followed by a Faster Increase in 2019, Finds WCRI Study
April 22 2021
Cambridge, MA, April 22, 2021 – Total costs per claim in Florida experienced moderate growth at 4 percent per year from 2014 to 2018, followed by a faster increase of 8 percent in 2019/2020, according to a recent study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
WCRI’s 2021 Annual Report Now Online
April 20 2021
Cambridge, MA, April 20, 2021 – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that an online version of its 2021 annual report is available on its website. The report takes a comprehensive look at all of the Institute’s activities in 2020, from the number of studies published to how that research was used by policymakers and other stakeholders.
Total Workers’ Compensation Claim Costs Mostly Stable in California since 2010, Finds WCRI Study
April 15 2021
Cambridge, MA, April 15, 2021 – Total costs per claim with more than seven days of lost time in California have been mostly stable since 2010, according to a study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). In 2019, the most recent year of the study period, total costs per claim increased moderately.
New WCRI CompScope™ Studies Compare Costs and Trends in 18 State Workers’ Compensation Systems
April 08 2021
Cambridge, MA, April 8, 2021 – A new series of studies, CompScope™ Benchmarks, 21st Edition, from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) provides in-depth analysis of costs per claim and other performance metrics across 18 state workers’ compensation systems for claims with experience through March 2020 for injuries up to and including 2019.
New FlashReport Examines Role of Recent Fee Schedule Changes on Ambulatory Surgery Payments in Georgia
April 06 2021
Cambridge, MA, April 6, 2021 ― A new FlashReport from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines recent trends in payments to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in Georgia and the role of recent fee schedule changes, including changes to Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) reimbursement rates, which are the basis of the Georgia workers’ compensation outpatient fee schedule.
WCRI Webinar on Early Predictors of Longer-Term Opioid Dispensing
April 01 2021
Cambridge, MA, April 1, 2021 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a 45-minute webinar on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at 2 p.m. ET on its study Early Predictors of Longer-Term Opioid Dispensing. The authors of the study, Dr. Vennela Thumula and Dr. Bogdan Savych, will discuss its key findings and take audience questions.
New WCRI Report Tracks Regulations for Containing Medical Costs in State and Federal Workers’ Compensation Programs
March 30 2021
Cambridge, MA, March 30, 2021―With medical benefits representing the single largest cost component for many state workers’ compensation systems, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a new study today that provides a basic understanding of the cost containment strategies used in all 50 states and 3 federal workers’ compensation programs as of January 1, 2021.
NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard to Discuss Future of Work, COVID-19, and Worker Safety at WCRI Conference
February 24 2021
Cambridge, MA, Feb. 24, 2021 ― The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Director John Howard will deliver a keynote on the future of work, COVID-19, and worker safety at the end of the second day of the Workers Compensation Research Institute’s (WCRI) 37th Annual Issues & Research Conference, held virtually March 23 and 24, 2021.
Off-Label Prescribing and the Effects of Opioid-Related Policies on WCRI’s Virtual Conference Agenda
February 10 2021
Cambridge, MA, Feb. 10, 2021―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that Dr. Vennela Thumula and Dr. Bogdan Savych will be presenting highlights from WCRI’s latest prescription drugs research on the first day of the Institute’s 37th Annual Issues & Research Conference, which is being held virtually March 23 and 24, 2021.
Dr. Jewel Mullen to Discuss Health Equity and COVID-19 Vaccinations at WCRI Conference
January 27 2021
Cambridge, MA, Jan. 27, 2021―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that Dr. Jewel Mullen will be delivering the opening keynote on health equity and COVID-19 vaccinations on the second day of the Institute’s 37th Annual Issues & Research Conference, which is being held virtually March 23 and 24, 2021.
New WCRI Study Analyzes Early Impact of COVID-19 on Workers’ Compensation Claims
January 14 2021
Cambridge, MA, January 14, 2021 ― A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) addresses how the massive slowdown of economic activity early in the pandemic impacted workers’ compensation, and to what extent COVID-19 claims have arisen in the workers’ compensation system.
Former BLS Commissioner Katharine Abraham to Discuss the Economic Impact of COVID-19 at WCRI’s 37th Annual Workers’ Compensation Conference
January 12 2021
Cambridge, MA, Jan. 12, 2021―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that Dr. Katharine Abraham, former Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner and member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, will deliver the opening keynote at the Institute’s 37th Annual Issues & Research Conference, which is being held virtually March 23 and 24, 2021.
Medical Payments per Claim among the Lowest in Michigan Workers’ Compensation System, Related to Price Regulations
December 10 2020
Cambridge, MA, December 10, 2020 – Medical payments per claim with more than seven days of lost time were fairly stable in Michigan, increasing 2.5 percent per year on average, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
Medical Payments in California Workers’ Compensation System Show Effects of Policy Changes
December 03 2020
Cambridge, MA, December 3, 2020 – Medical payments per claim in California were typical of other states for 2016 claims with experience through 2019 (2016/2019), the effect of comprehensive reform legislation, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). In previous years, medical payments per claim in California were higher than typical.
