Hospital Outpatient Payment Index: Interstate Variations and Policy Analysis, 14th Edition

As many states consider revising hospital fee regulations, this new study compares hospital outpatient payments across 36 states and examines the impact of fee schedule reforms from 2005 to 2023. It also includes a benchmark comparing workers’ compensation hospital outpatient payments with Medicare rates and tracks the effects of recent policy changes. The report captures payments for… Read More >>

WCRI Medical Price Index for Workers’ Compensation, 17th Edition (MPI-WC)

This annual study compares prices paid for medical professional services across 36 states from 2008 to 2024. It focuses on services commonly billed by physicians, physical therapists, and chiropractors, including evaluation and management, physical medicine, surgery, major and minor radiology, neurological testing, pain management injections, and emergency care. Unlike other indices measuring… Read More >>

Impact of Recreational Marijuana Laws on Workers’ Compensation Benefits

As more states adopt recreational marijuana laws (RMLs), this new study examines changes in workers’ compensation claim frequency and outcomes such as per-claim medical payments, indemnity benefits, temporary disability duration, and prescription drug utilization and costs. This research is important as marijuana use continues to rise. Our study highlights the complex effects RMLs have on… Read More >>

CompScope™ Benchmarks, 2025 Edition

These studies help workers’ compensation policymakers and other system stakeholders identify current cost drivers and emerging trends in total costs per claim and key components. They compare the performance of state workers’ compensation systems in 18 states, focusing on overall medical payments, income benefits, use of benefits, duration of temporary disability, benefit delivery expenses,… Read More >>

Degenerative and Comorbid Conditions in Workers’ Compensation

Degenerative and comorbid conditions often coexist with primary work-related injuries, complicating treatment and recovery, leading to increased costs and extended duration of temporary disability. This study compares claims with and without comorbidities, as well as those involving one or multiple comorbid conditions. It highlights the importance of early detection and intervention to reduce… Read More >>

Webinar: Heat-Related Illnesses in the Workplace

Waltham, MA, June 3, 2025 — With summer approaching, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is hosting a free, 30-minute webinar on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET to share recent research on the connection between high temperatures and heat-related illnesses (HRIs) in the workplace. “With 2024 confirmed as the hottest year on record, these findings are especially… Read More >>

Webinar: Highlights of the Delaware Workers’ Compensation System

Waltham, MA, May 15, 2025 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a free, 30-minute webinar on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET, focusing on findings from its CompScope™ Benchmarks for Delaware, 2025 Edition. The study’s lead author, Evelina Radeva, will discuss Delaware’s workers’ compensation system and its performance relative to other states. “The… Read More >>

Another Successful Conference in the Books

A huge thank you to our speakers and attendees for making the 2025 WCRI Issues & Research Conference in sunny Phoenix a tremendous success! We hope all our attendees enjoyed diving into our latest research, hearing from expert keynote speakers and panelists, and networking with our diverse audience. Mark your calendars for next year’s conference, scheduled for March 3–4, 2026, in… Read More >>

One Week Left—Register Now for the 2025 WCRI

The clock is ticking—only one week remains to secure your spot at the 2025 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, taking place March 6–7 in sunny Phoenix, AZ. Federal changes—those already made and those under consideration—are likely to impact all stakeholders in the system in different ways. This is what makes the WCRI conference a must-attend event. It brings together employers,… Read More >>

Two Weeks Left: Register Now!

The clock is ticking—only two weeks remain to secure your spot at the 2025 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 6–7 in sunny Phoenix, AZ. At WCRI, we know conferences are about two key things: cutting-edge content and meaningful networking. We’re proud to deliver both in abundance. Cutting-Edge Content Get access to original, data-driven research on the most pressing issues in our… Read More >>

Webinar: Heat-Related Illnesses in the Workplace

Waltham, MA, June 3, 2025 — With summer approaching, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is hosting a free, 30-minute webinar on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET to share recent research on the connection between high temperatures and heat-related illnesses (HRIs) in the workplace. “With 2024 confirmed as the hottest year on record, these findings are especially… Read More >>

Moore: 187 Pages of WCRI State Stats

One of the best free workers' comp info sources on medical pricing nationwide was published in May by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The authors of the study are Rebecca Yang and Olesya Fomenko. Read More >>

Heat Illness Prevention: California Worker Protection Laws in 2025

According to the National Safety Council, the Workers Compensation Research Institute found a pattern of heat-related illness incidents across the United States from 2013 to 2020 in worker compensation data. Read More >>

Hospital Outpatient Payments Grew Faster in States with Charge-Based or No Fee Schedules

Waltham, MA, May 29, 2025 – As policymakers nationwide focus on the rising costs of health care, a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) reveals that hospital outpatient payments for workers’ compensation grew faster in states with fee schedules based on a percentage of hospital charges and in states without fee schedules. “This study provides meaningful state… Read More >>

WCRI: Virginia Workers’ Compensation Claims Costs Grew Slower Than Most States

Waltham, MA, May 27, 2025 – A recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that total costs per workers’ compensation claim in Virginia changed little in recent years and have grown less than the typical state of the 18-state study sample. “This slow growth in Virginia reflects little change in medical payments per claim after the state implemented a medical… Read More >>

Stay Informed

Receive periodic email updates on
WCRI studies and events.


us-map-gold.webp

Browse Reports By State

View all reports, categorized by state:

Search by State >

Free Report

WCRI’s study, WCRI Medical Price Index for Workers’ Compensation, 17th Edition (MPI-WC), compares prices for common workers’ comp medical services across 36 states from 2008–2024. It focuses on care like evaluations, therapy, and surgery, providing a state-level benchmark to track price trends and support policy decisions.

Download Now