News & Events

WCRI: Pennsylvania Experiencing Larger Decline in Utilization of Hospital Services Than Many States

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Waltham, MA, Nov. 14, 2024 – A recently released study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that utilization of hospital services in the treatment of workers injured in Pennsylvania is declining for many key services to a greater extent than most of the other 16 study states.

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WCRI: North Carolina Medical Payments for Treating Injured Workers Decreased from 2021 to 2022, Unlike in Most States

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Waltham, MA, Nov. 7, 2024 – A recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that medical payments per claim for the treatment of injured workers under workers’ compensation in North Carolina decreased in 2022. In contrast, medical payments grew in many study states in that year.

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Member Spotlight: Neil Deblock of Zurich North America

November 05, 2024

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Our latest WCRI Member Spotlight features Neil DeBlock, Vice President and Head of Workers' Compensation at Zurich North America, a proud WCRI member since 1990. In his interview, Neil highlights the critical importance of WCRI's data and studies—especially in areas such as opioid use and state benchmarking—in helping Zurich make informed and impactful policy decisions that improve outcomes for injured workers and their…

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WCRI: Minnesota Workers’ Compensation System Potentially Beginning Rebound from Pandemic Disruptions

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Waltham, MA, October 31, 2024 – A recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that the delivery of medical care to workers injured in Minnesota may be starting to increase after pandemic-related disruptions. Factors suggesting this trend include increasing medical payments per claim and a stable or modest rise in the utilization of most services.

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WCRI: Indiana Medical Payments Per Claim Under Workers’ Compensation Higher Than Most States

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Waltham, MA, October 24, 2024 – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that medical payments per claim for the treatment of workers injured in Indiana was higher than typical for all claims with experience through March 2023. This was driven mostly by high prices paid for professional (nonhospital) services and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).

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WCRI: Cost of Medical Treatment for Workers Injured in California Near Middle of Study States

October 18, 2024

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Waltham, MA, October 17, 2024—A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that workers’ compensation medical payments per claim in California were 10 percent below the median state of the 17-state study sample for claims with experience through March 2023.

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WCRI: Utilization of Medical Care for Workers with Injuries Continues to Decline

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Waltham, MA, October 10, 2024 ― A new set of studies from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that utilization of medical services by workers with injuries declined in the majority of the 17 study states. The studies address two aspects of utilization: the percentage of claims receiving a particular medical service, and the number of services provided.

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WCRI Study Shows Impact of Attorney Representation on Workers’ Comp Payments

October 03, 2024

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Attorney involvement in workers’ compensation claims substantially increases total indemnity benefits paid to workers, a new study of nearly 1 million claims shows.

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WCRI: Delaware Workers’ Comp Claim Costs Increased 3 Percent Annually (2019–2022)

September 27, 2024

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Waltham, MA, Sept. 30, 2024 — A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) shows that the average cost of workers' compensation claims in Delaware, for cases with more than seven days of lost work, went up by 3 percent per year between 2019 and 2022.

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WCRI: Impact of Attorney Representation on Workers’ Compensation Payments

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Waltham, MA, Sept. 25, 2024―A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines the effect of attorney involvement on the indemnity payments that workers receive following work-related injuries to help them cover their loss of income.

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Registration Now Open for 2025 Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference

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Waltham, MA, Sept. 24, 2024 — The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its 2025 Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference, scheduled for March 6-7, 2025, at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, AZ.

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Webinar: Highlights of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation System

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Waltham, MA, Sept. 10, 2024 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will hold a free, one-hour webinar on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. The webinar will cover key findings from the latest editions of the CompScope™ Benchmarks and Medical Benchmarks for Pennsylvania, as well as the Institute’s recent drug trends study.

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WCRI Study Identifies Key Factors Associated with High-Cost Claims in Workers’ Compensation

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Waltham, MA, Aug. 8, 2024―Many studies have shown that health care costs are concentrated among a small percentage of individuals with diverse needs. A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) identifies the factors linked to high-cost claims in workers’ compensation.

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Racked by Extreme Heat, One Worker Died on the Job. His Story Is a Warning.

August 03, 2024

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As heat increases, so does risk for some workers. The probability of work-related accidents grows by 5% to 6% when maximum daily temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, compared with a day when temperatures range from 65 to 70 degrees, according to an analysis of claims data by the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

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Dept. of Workforce Development: Insurance premiums for worker’s compensation continue to decline

August 01, 2024

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The worker’s compensation program covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job. The independent, nonprofit Workers Compensation Research Institute ranks Wisconsin tied with Iowa as the lowest of 17 states studied for the time employees spend away from work after an injury, thanks to strong health care networks and return-to-work programs that support a smooth transition back to the workplace.

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New Study Highlights Behavioral Health in New York Workers’ Compensation System

July 30, 2024

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Waltham, MA, July 30, 2024―A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines the prevalence and use of behavioral health support services in the New York workers’ compensation system. It follows regulatory actions that created a system for compensating a wide range of providers offering these services to injured workers.

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Younger workers injured more often than those nearing retirement: Study

July 18, 2024

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The proportion of work-related injuries among newly hired workers increased from 2017 to 2022, with workers under 25 reporting more frequent injuries than those 55 and older, according to a report released Thursday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

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WCRI: Half of All Injuries Occurred in the First Two Years of Workers’ Tenure with At-Injury Employer

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Waltham, MA, July 18, 2024 ― A new FlashReport from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that the proportion of injuries among newly hired workers increased over the study period of 2017 to 2022. The upward trend started pre-pandemic and accelerated during the pandemic years.

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Viewpoint: Need for heat safety rising

July 09, 2024

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For employers and insurers, the effects of rising heat-related illnesses and claims are a growing concern. California’s insurance department reports that in the past decade, extreme heat waves have cost the state at least $7.7 billion in lost labor productivity, costs related to power outages, infrastructure repairs and premature deaths. In the workplace, the probability of work-related accidents increases by 5% to 6% when the temperature…

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Webinar: Trends in Workers’ Compensation Drug Payments Across States

July 10, 2024

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The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a 30-minute webinar on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET on its study, Interstate Variation and Trends in Workers’ Compensation Drug Payments, 5th Edition. Dr. Vennela Thumula will discuss its key findings and take audience questions.

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Farmworkers in the US cultivate their own heat safety standards

July 08, 2024

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Yet, Constible said, "the research has kept piling up that heat is not only potentially deadly to workers, but also drastically affects their productivity – billions of work hours lost in the U.S. and around the world because it's too darn hot." The probability of work-related accidents rises by nearly 6% when temperatures pass 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), according to research from the Workers Compensation…

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Biden Administration to Announce First National Heat Protections for Workers

July 02, 2024

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One recent study found that the probability of work-related accidents increases by 5 percent to 6 percent when the maximum daily temperature rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and that the effect is stronger in the South and for construction workers.

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Solving pain – opioids, NSAIDs, and better options

June 25, 2024

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WCRI’s latest report on drugs in workers’ comp has some excellent news...opioid usage dropped 29% from Q1 2021 to Q1 2023.

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WCRI: Dermatological Agents and NSAIDs Continue to Be Top Cost Drivers in Workers’ Compensation

June 20, 2024

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Waltham, MA, June 20, 2024 ― The latest edition of the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) drug trends report finds that while prescription payments per claim continued to decline significantly in the majority of study states, there was substantial variation across states. Dermatological agents and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remained the top prescription cost drivers, with migraine medications growing in many…

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WCRI: Medical Fee Schedules Play Big Role in Shaping Price Changes During Inflationary Period in State Workers’ Compensation Systems

June 13, 2024

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Waltham, MA, June 13, 2024—In recent years, inflation in the workers’ compensation system has been a concern, as inflation in the overall economy spiked at 9 percent in June 2022. This new report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines the most recent trends in medical inflation to assess whether there was any accelerated medical price growth in workers’ compensation due to a potential lagged effect of the…

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Map Shows ‘Extreme’ Heat Risk Warning as Florida Braces

June 07, 2024

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A study released last week by the Workers Compensation Research Institute found that excessive heat leads to a significant increase in workplace injuries, including heat exhaustion and incidents like "falling off a ladder on a hot day."

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High Temperatures Increase Work-Related Injury Risk

June 07, 2024

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As the frequency of extremely hot days increases, so does the number of heat-related illness and work injuries, according to researchers at the 2024 Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) issues and research conference.

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WCRI: Despite Large Growth, Wisconsin Duration of Temporary Disability per Workers’ Compensation Claim Still Shorter Than Most Study States

May 28, 2024

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Waltham, MA, May 28, 2024—A recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that Wisconsin’s average indemnity benefit per claim grew nearly 10 percent in 2022, fueled by large growth in the average duration of temporary disability per claim. However, the duration of temporary disability per claim in Wisconsin remained the lowest of the study states.

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Lowering the Temperature on Workers’ Comp Claims, Literally

May 27, 2024

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The probability of work-related accidents increases by 5 to 6% when the temperature rises above 90 degrees compared to 65-70 degrees, according to a recent study from the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

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­­WCRI: Hospital Outpatient Payments Lower and Growing Slower in States with Fixed-Amount Fee Schedules

May 23, 2024

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Waltham, MA, May 23, 2024―With rising hospital costs a focus of public policy debates across the country, 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.

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WCRI: Michigan Costs per Workers’ Compensation Claim Lowest of 17-State Study Group

May 22, 2024

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Waltham, MA, May 22, 2024—A recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that overall costs per workers’ compensation claim in Michigan were the lowest of the 17-state study group, at an average cost of $31,735 per claim.

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Please save the date for the WCRI 41st Annual Issues & Research Conference, March 6-7, 2025, at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, Phoenix, AZ. Our two-day program highlights presentations of WCRI's latest research findings while drawing upon the diverse perspectives of highly respected workers' compensation experts and policymakers from across the country.

WCRI Webinar: The Impact of Excessive Heat on Workplace Injuries

May 21, 2024

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Waltham, MA, May 21, 2024—The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a 30-minute webinar on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss findings from the Institute’s new study on how excessive heat affects workplace injuries.

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WCRI: Prices for Medical Professional Services Provided to Injured Workers Were Higher and Grew Faster in States without a Fee Schedule

May 16, 2024

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Waltham, MA, May 16, 2024―Since medical costs are a constant focus for policymakers and system stakeholders in state workers’ compensation systems, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) has released an updated version of its annual study that provides comparisons of prices paid for medical professional services across 36 states from 2008 to 2023.

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Illinois Indemnity under Workers’ Compensation Rose, but Declining Medical Payments Led to Stable Overall Costs

May 14, 2024

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A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that indemnity benefits per claim in Illinois increased 5 percent in 2022, driven by a 4 percent increase in workers’ wages and a 0.8-week increase in the average duration of temporary disability. However, since Illinois also saw declining medical payments from 2019 to 2022, overall costs remained mostly stable.

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New study details heat risks for workers

May 13, 2024

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After Florida lawmakers this year barred local heat protections for workers, a new study cites "strong and robust evidence that excessive heat increases the frequency of injuries" to workers - with risks particularly in the South.

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May 09, 2024

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The probability of work-related accidents increases 5% to 6% when temperatures rise above 90 degrees, and the effect of workplace heat is stronger in the southern U.S. and in the construction industry, according to a report released Thursday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

WCRI Study Explores Excessive Heat’s Influence on Workplace Injuries

May 09, 2024

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Waltham, MA―With U.S. officials bracing for another summer of dangerous heat, a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found important effects of excessive heat on the incidence of occupational injuries.

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Florida Saw Jump in Workers’ Comp Cost per Claim in 2022-23, WCRI Report Shows

May 06, 2024

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Employers and insurers in Florida saw a 7% increase in total cost per workers’ compensation claim in 2022 and 2023, to just over $30,000 on average, due largely to higher wages and longer temporary disability benefits duration. That was the finding of an analysis by the Workers Compensation Research Institute, which compared COVID-19 pandemic-era costs in Florida and 16 other states.

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WCRI: Florida Sees Large Increase in Indemnity Benefits per Workers’ Comp Claim

May 02, 2024

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A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that Florida’s average indemnity benefit per workers’ compensation claim grew 13 percent in 2022 for claims with 12 months of experience, making it the main driver of growth in overall costs per claim in the state.

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2024 WCRI Annual Report Now Available

April 30, 2024

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Waltham, MA, April 30, 2024 — The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced today that its 2024 WCRI Annual Report is now available on its website. The report takes a comprehensive look at all of the Institute’s activities in 2023, from the studies published to how that research was used by policymakers and other stakeholders.

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New Insights: How A Worker’s Mental State Influences Injury Recovery

May 30, 2024

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Guest Vennela Thumula, Ph.D., works at the Workers’ Compensation Research Institution – a nonprofit, objective provider of research and analysis – and is the lead author of this year’s WCRI report, “Importance of Psychosocial Factors for Physical Therapy Outcomes.” The role of psychosocial factors is increasingly being recognized as a major factor in recovery.

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Good news Friday – Ukraine, more insurance coverage, and 54 years in jail for work comp fraud.

April 26, 2024

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WCRI’s just released in-depth analyses in its CompScope series…this year they’ve added details on COVID’s impact in 17 states.

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WCRI study: Injured workers face greater psychosocial risks during recovery

April 24, 2024

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Injured workers are more likely to experience psychosocial risk factors that can lead to “poorer functional recovery,” according to a recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

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Study tracks rapid comp indemnity growth post-pandemic

April 23, 2024

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Indemnity benefits per workers compensation claim grew at a “rapid” pace of 6% or more in 2022 in 16 out of 17 states analyzed by the Workers Compensation Research Institute, which said data prior to 2021 showed little change.

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WCRI: Post-Pandemic Economic Changes Drove Rapid Increase in Indemnity Benefits for Workers’ Comp Claims in 2022

April 23, 2024

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Waltham, MA, April 23, 2024―Indemnity benefits per workers’ compensation claim grew at a rapid pace of 6 percent or more in 2022 in 16 out of 17 study states, with 8 states growing at a rate of 10 percent or more, according to a new set of studies from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). This followed a period of little change overall in most study states from 2019 to 2021.

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AI not a ‘substitute,’ but can benefit insurance industry: Experts

April 19, 2024

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“If anything, it makes our jobs more efficient,” said Ramona Tanabe, president and CEO of the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Workers Compensation Research Institute.

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Comp Spotlight with Ramona Tanabe of WCRI

April 18, 2024

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Ramona Tanabe, president and CEO of the Workers Compensation Research Institute, talks about fee schedules in workers comp.

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SC High Court Strikes ‘Troubling’ Denial of Comp Claim, Says Can’t Be Based on Stats

April 12, 2024

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The case now goes back to the appellate panel to calculate the benefits due to the worker. As of 2022, South Carolina law allows injured workers two-thirds of their average weekly wage, up to $963 for temporary total disability, for a maximum of 500 weeks, according to the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute.

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WCRI Quarterly Newsletter: January 1 - March 31, 2024 Now Avaialble

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Check out the latest WCRI Quarterly Newsletter! 📰 Discover how our research has been utilized and circulated over the past three months. Dive in here.

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Webinar to Discuss Impact of Vertical Integration on Prices, Medical Utilization, and Outcomes

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Waltham, MA, April 4, 2024—The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will hold an hour-long webinar on the impact of vertical integration on prices, medical utilization, and outcomes, based on published WCRI reports. The date of the webinar is Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 2pm ET.

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Deconstructing Comp - Ramona Tanabe: In Data We Trust

March 29, 2024

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Ramona Tanabe is our latest guest, right on the heals of the 40th Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6, 2024, in Boston, MA. This is Ramona's second time as a guest on Deconstructing Comp.

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WCRI: Poorer Recovery Seen among Injured Workers with Psychosocial Risk Factors

March 27, 2024

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Waltham, MA, March 28, 2024―A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute found that workers’ compensation patients had a higher prevalence of psychosocial risk factors than private insurance patients, and a stronger association between psychosocial risk factors and functional outcomes.

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Thank You for Attending WCRI’s 2024 Conference

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Thank you to all our speakers and attendees for making our 2024 Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference a resounding success! Below are some articles and blog posts written about the sessions, which will be updated as more articles are published. Save the date for next year’s conference, March 6-7, 2025, in sunny Phoenix, AZ.

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Ramona Tanabe on WCRI’s annual confab.

February 28, 2024

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Ramona Tanabe, CEO of WCRI – a most excellent workers’ comp research organization – was kind enough to carve out a few minutes on the eve of this year’s gathering of the brainiacs to answer a few of your reporter’s questions.

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WCRI: Tracking How State and Federal Workers’  Comp Programs Contain Medical Costs

February 26, 2024

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Cambridge, MA, February 27, 2024―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, 2024.

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2024 WCRI Conference Is Sold Out

February 20, 2024

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Registration for the 40th Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6, 2024, is now sold out. Demand for tickets to the event was higher than ever before. To be added to the waiting list, please contact Kathy Fisher. To keep informed about next year’s conference, please subscribe to our email list on the front page of our website.

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Boston University Prof. Connie Noonan Hadley to Discuss the Power of Relationships to Improve Workforce Outcomes at 2024 WCRI Conference

February 05, 2024

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Cambridge, MA, February 2, 2023―The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced today that Dr. Connie Noonan Hadley, an organizational psychologist and professor in the Management and Organizations Department at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, will keynote the second day of the 2024 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6 at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston, MA. The title of her keynote is “The…

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Who Should Attend the 2024 WCRI Conference?

January 23, 2024

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A question we often get about our annual conference is who should attend? The answer is, anyone working to improve workers’ compensation systems or seeking to manage a changing environment will benefit. Better yet, take a look at the more than 100 organizations registered for our 40th Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6, 2024, in Boston, MA.

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WCRI Conference Includes Session on Psychological Risk Factors and Functional Recovery

January 18, 2024

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Cambridge, MA, Jan. 18, 2024―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that a session on “Psychological Risk Factors and Functional Recovery” will be held at its 2024 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6 in Boston, MA. WCRI Policy Analyst Vennela Thumula will present the Institute’s latest research on the topic.

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Indiana Bill Would Allow Employees to Select Physician in Workers’ Comp Cases

January 12, 2024

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A study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute published in 2017 found little evidence of average cost difference in between states where employers had control over the choice of provider and states where workers were given the most control of the choice of provider. The study, The Effects of Provider Choice Policies on Workers’ Compensation Costs, surveyed effects of provider choice policies on workers’ compensation costs in 25…

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Excessive Heat and Work-Related Injuries to Be a Focus at WCRI Conference

January 11, 2024

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Cambridge, MA, Jan. 11, 2024―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that a session on “Excessive Heat and Work-Related Injuries” will be held at its 2024 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6 in Boston, MA. WCRI Vice President of Research Sebastian Negrusa and Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Research Director David Bonauto will be presenting.

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Start Off 2024 Right by Attending WCRI’s Annual Conference

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Happy New Year! The start of a new year is the perfect time to make a resolution. Start off 2024 right: Resolve to gain new insights and a better understanding of key trends in today's workers' compensation environment by attending WCRI's 40th Annual Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6, in Boston, MA.

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Provider consolidation = Higher workers’ comp costs, longer disability

December 18, 2023

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Olesya Fomenko and Bogdan Savich collaborated on a very well done study of vertical integration of providers’ impact on work comp, and their research bodes ill indeed.

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WCRI: Consolidation of Health Care Leads to Higher Costs, Longer Disability Duration

December 18, 2023

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Consolidation of health care services into large corporations that own hospitals, clinics and physician practices may hold the promise of more efficient and better-integrated care, but it hasn’t led to better outcomes for workers’ compensation patients, according to a new study by the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute.

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WCRI: Vertical Integration Results in More Medical Care, Higher Claim Costs, and Longer Recovery after Injuries

December 14, 2023

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Cambridge, MA, December 14, 2023—As vertical integration of medical providers has increased over the last decade, a new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study found that vertical integration results in more medical care, higher claim costs, and longer recovery among workers injured on the job.

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Gift Yourself the Experience of Attending WCRI’s 2024 Conference

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This holiday season, gift yourself the experience of attending the 40th Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6, 2024, in Boston, MA. Our two-day conference differs from other workers' compensation forums with our original research on timely issues impacting state workers' compensation systems...

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Florida Weekly Wage and Max Workers’ Comp Benefit See Biggest Jump Since 1980

December 08, 2023

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Florida comp insurers and employers are somewhat shielded from the full impact of higher wages on the cost of benefits. State law limits temporary total disability benefits to a maximum of 260 weeks, a significantly shorter time frame than most other Southeastern states provide, the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute reports.

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WCRI: Medical Payments for Treatment of Injured Workers in Wisconsin Highest of 17 Study States

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Cambridge, MA, December 7, 2023 – A recently released study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that medical payments per claim in Wisconsin remained stable between 2019 and 2021 after prior years saw moderate growth. Wisconsin, however, sees some of the highest prices and payments per claim out of any of the study states.

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Comorbidities affect workers’ recovery from back pain: report

December 06, 2023

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“Identifying these comorbidities and understanding their impact on recovery may help workers’ compensation stakeholders better understand which low back pain cases are more likely to have poorer outcomes and potentially adapt treatments for workers with high-risk comorbidities,” said Ramona Tanabe, president and CEO of WCRI.

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During Pandemic, Surgeries Delayed, but Care on Track for Injured Workers: WCRI

December 05, 2023

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A new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) FlashReport examined the time from injury to first medical service among workers’ compensation patients across states and over time for different types of services in 2020 and 2021, the first two years of the pandemic, relative to the pre-pandemic years.

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WCRI Report Examines Challenges of Low Back Pain and Comorbid Health Issues

December 01, 2023

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Workers’ compensation patients who report comorbidities, especially mental health comorbidities (anxiety, depression, sleep dysfunction), had a stronger association with smaller functional recoveries than those who only reported physical health comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity. That’s according to a recent Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) report examining the impacts of common physical and mental…

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Study finds no pattern of ER delays for injured workers during pandemic

November 28, 2023

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While there were some delays for injured workers who needed surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Workers’ Compensation Research Institute study released Tuesday found no pattern of delays in access to emergency care and initial medical evaluations immediately following injuries.

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Time from Injury to First Medical Service among Workers’ Compensation Patients Examined before and after the Pandemic in New WCRI Study

November 28, 2023

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Cambridge, MA, November 28, 2023—A new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study, Time to First Medical Service—A WCRI FlashReport, examines the time from injury to first medical service among injured workers across states before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Time to first service provides insights for the understanding of access to medical care for workers with injuries.

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Long COVID And Workers’ Comp, A Deep Dive Into A Real Issue

November 21, 2023

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Did we ever learn a lot during the once-in-a-generation health event that was COVID! Guest Dr. Bogdan Savych of the Workers Comp Research Institute (WCRI) is a policy analyst who is studying the lasting effects of the illness, as well as lingering cases of Long Covid.

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Getting smarter about PT.

November 22, 2023

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Why does a therapist’s treatment duration vary for patients with the same diagnosis? What conditions have the most impact on patient recovery? Thanks to WCRI’s Vennela Thumula PharmD; Randall Lea MD; and Te-Chun Liu there are answers.

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WCRI: Mental Health Comorbidities Related to Poorer Functional Outcomes Than Physical Health Comorbidities in Workers with Low Back Pain

November 21, 2023

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Cambridge, MA, November 21, 2023—A new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study found that mental health comorbidities (anxiety, depression, sleep dysfunction) had a stronger association with smaller functional recoveries than physical health comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, obesity). This study is based on a large sample of 68,850 workers who were injured on the job and received physical therapy for low back pain.

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Thankful for Your Support

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As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to express our deep appreciation for the unwavering support you've provided the Institute. Your commitment has been crucial in enabling WCRI to deliver independent, high-quality, and credible research, playing a pivotal role in fostering informed decision-making within state workers' compensation systems.

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WCRI: Medical Payments to Treat Injured Workers in Texas Stable from 2016 to 2021, Masking Offsetting Trends

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Cambridge, MA, November 16, 2023 – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that medical payments for the treatment of workers injured on the job in Texas changed little between 2016 and 2021.

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CompScope is up…medical costs are not.

November 07, 2023

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It’s that time of year…when the brilliant minds at WCRI release the latest CompScope report. The top finding…is likely to surprise many…

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Georgia Law Officers Call for Full Salary Benefits Under Workers’ Comp

November 07, 2023

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The workers’ compensation system in Georgia was established in 1920, around the time that most other states’ comp systems were born. As in most states, injured workers receive two-thirds of their weekly salary while recovering. In Georgia, the maximum weekly benefit for temporary total disability is $675, less than Florida, Alabama and South Carolina, and it end at 400 weeks unless it’s for a catastrophic injury, the Workers’…

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WCRI: Medical Payments for the Treatment of Injured Workers in Minnesota Continued to Decline in 2020 and 2021, Likely Due to the Pandemic

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Cambridge, MA, Nov. 3, 2023 – During the first two years of the pandemic, medical payments per claim in Minnesota decreased 4 percent in 2020/2021, followed by a slight drop of 2 percent in 2021/2022, according to a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). This was mainly driven by decreases in utilization of medical services, likely related to the pandemic.

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Louisiana Contractor Gets Max Fine After Fatal Fall at Georgia Hyundai Plant Site

November 03, 2023

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Georgia law provides workers’ compensation death benefits to dependents that are greater than some surrounding states, less than others. The maximum allowed for a surviving spouse with no dependents is $270,000, more than Florida’s maximum of $150,000, according to the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute.

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Join Us for a Bewitching Time at Our Annual Conference

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While our 2024 conference (March 5-6) in Boston may not coincide with Halloween, it promises to be a thrilling and enlightening experience.

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WCRI Holds Webinar on CompScope™ Medical Benchmarks, 24th Edition

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Cambridge, MA, Oct. 27, 2023 – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will hold a one-hour webinar on its recently release CompScope™ Medical Benchmarks, 24th Edition on Thurs., Nov. 16, 2023, at 2:00 pm ET. WCRI Senior Analyst and Author Carol Telles will share findings from the studies and take audience questions.

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2023 Annual Staff Volunteer Outing

October 20, 2023

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Today, WCRI had its annual staff volunteer outing. This year, WCRI staff picked apples at Boston Hill Farm and then donated them to Foodlink, which delivers fresh food to 80-100 community-based organizations (e.g., food pantries, homeless shelters, senior centers) serving people throughout Greater Boston. #GivingBack

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​WCRI: Medical Payments for the Treatment of Injured Workers in Indiana Stable between 2016 and 2021, but Masked Offsetting Changes

October 19, 2023

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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.

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Kathy Fisher presenting at 15th Annual Workers Compensation and Safety Conference hosted by the Illinois Chamber and Illinois Self-Insurers’ Association

October 18, 2023

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Today, our colleague Kathy Fisher is presenting WCRI research at the 15th Annual Workers Compensation and Safety Conference hosted by the Illinois Chamber and Illinois Self-Insurers' Association. Kathy's presentation will address the impact of the pandemic on the workers’ comp system using WCRI research on long COVID, and workers’ comp trends in Illinois.

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Medical Costs for Injured Workers in Delaware Fell During Pandemic: WCRI Study

October 13, 2023

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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, based on claims evaluated as of March 2022. The study found that changes in the availability of medical services and economic conditions were the main factors behind the 2020 and 2021 findings. Reforms enacted in 2014 also had an effect on medical…

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WCRI: Cost of Medical Treatment for Workers Injured on the Job in Delaware Decreased During the Pandemic, Benefit Payments Increased

October 12, 2023

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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.

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Carol Telles Presenting at LABI’s 2023 Workers’ Comp Seminar

October 11, 2023

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WCRI Senior Analyst Carol Telles will be presenting research on how the Louisiana workers' compensation system compares to other states at LABI's 2023 Workers' Comp Seminar, Oct. 12-13 in Baton Rouge, LA. Learn more at https://buff.ly/3ZP7bOY. #workerscomp

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Dr. Tate Rice: The Importance of the Physical Therapist in Addressing the Physical and Behavioral Health of Injured Worker Patients

October 10, 2023

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In a Workers’ Compensation Research Institute study, patients who initiated PT more than 30 days after injury had worse health outcomes than those who began therapy within three days. Those who initiated PT later were 47% more likely to have an MRI, 46% more likely to be prescribed opioids, 29% more likely to receive injections for pain management, and 89% more likely to have back surgery. Those are a lot of negative consequences!

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2024 WCRI Conference: Keynote Announced and Registration Open

October 09, 2023

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Cambridge, MA, Oct. 10, 2023―The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced today that registration is open and acclaimed Harvard economist David Cutler will keynote the 2024 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 5-6 at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston, MA.

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WCRI: Medical Payments Continued to Decline in 2021, Reflecting Lingering Effects of Pandemic

October 05, 2023

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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.

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WCRI: 6% of COVID Claimants Treated for Long COVID

October 04, 2023

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A national study by the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute found that 6% of workers who filed claims for COVID-19 suffered long COVID, meaning they sought additional treatment more than a month after the initial infection.

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What Employers Should Know About Workers Who Have Long COVID-19

September 29, 2023

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An August report from the nonprofit Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that care for long COVID can be costly. Many workers who developed long COVID continued receiving medical care a year after their infections. At an average of 18 months of post-infection experience, workers with long COVID received more than 20 weeks of temporary disability benefits and received on average about $29,000 in medical care. This was more than…

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All Changed, Changed Utterly

September 21, 2023

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That line, from W.B. Yeats’ great poem, “Easter, 1916”, comes to mind when we look back on what COVID has done to the US workforce in a scant few years. The good folks at the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) have cast a critical-statistical eye over the recent COVID-addled period, 2019 to 2022, in their new research report: Changes in the Workforce and Their Impact on Workers’ Compensation Outcomes (free to WCRI…

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What’s Up, Long COVID?

September 21, 2023

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For the other news, we turn to a new report from the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), Long COVID in the Workers’ Compensation System in 2020 and 2021. The report is detailed because long COVID is not simple.

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WCRI Holds Webinar on Long COVID in the Workers’  Compensation System in 2020 and 2021

September 14, 2023

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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.

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Joe Paduda: Medical inflation in work comp…

September 11, 2023

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Isn’t a problem. In most states. Today. That is the headline takeaway from WCRI’s presentation last week…

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