New WCRI
Publications
Interstate Variations in Medical Practice Patterns
for Low Back Conditions
Annually in the United States, over $15 billion is
spent for the treatment of low back related pain and
disorders, and approximately 15 percent of the costs
in workers’ compensation medical care are for low
back pain cases.
This
study focuses on medical care provided or directed by physicians and
addresses the following questions:
·
What are the patterns of medical care for workers with common low
back conditions in the 16 states studied?
·
How do these patterns vary across states?
·
How do the patterns of medical practice in the study states
compare with evidence-based treatment guideline recommendations?
Overall, we found
workers with similar low back conditions received very different
patterns of care, depending on the state. In addition, we identified
several areas of service and a number of states where the patterns
of care were inconsistent with evidence-based treatment guidelines.
The 16 states in
the study are Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia,
Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
abstract
executive summary
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Comparing Outcomes
for Injured Workers in Maryland
When employers pay more for the medical care of injured workers,
workers should experience better outcomes—a better recovery of
health and functioning, timely and sustainable return to work,
access to medical care, and satisfaction with medical care.
When compared to nine other states, we find that Maryland provided a
“better” value proposition for employers and injured workers.
Employers paid lower than average medical costs per claim with more
than 7 days of lost time and workers reported generally typical or
better outcomes. However, there is room for improvement. In both
Massachusetts and Wisconsin, the average worker received fewer
medical services and/or less intensive medical care, but reported
generally better than typical outcomes.
The ten
states in the study are California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland,
Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and
Wisconsin.
abstract
executive summary
order this report
