ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the cost outcomes of an integrated workers' compensation program. METHODS: We studied a population that increased from 20K to 59K, incurring 8807 lost-time claims between 1988 and 2020. RESULTS: Lost-time claims decreased from 22.15 to 4.32 per 1000 employees (1988 to 2020), and total closed lost-time claim costs per $100 payroll, decreased from $0.62 to $0.17 (1988 to 2017). The percent of claims resolved within 3âyears of the accident increased from 10% to 89% (1988 to 2017). Adjusting for medical inflation and wage increases, total workers' compensation benefits paid per claim decreased $124 per year, medical benefits decreased $45 per year and indemnity benefits decreased $79 per year. CONCLUSION: On both a population (per employee) and on a per claim basis, workers' compensation costs decreased substantially, which is attributable to improvements in accident prevention and decreases in claim duration.
Subject(s)
Workers' Compensation , Workplace , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Law EnforcementABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study describes the relationship between opioid prescribing and ability to work. METHODS: The opioid prescription patterns of 4994 claimants were studied. Three groups were constructed: 1) at least 3 consecutive months prescribed (chronic opioid therapy; COT); 2) less than 3 consecutive months prescribed (acute opioid therapy; AOT); and 3) no opioids prescribed. Variables included sex, age, daily morphine equivalent dose (MED), days opioids were prescribed, temporary total days (TTDs), and medical/indemnity/total costs. RESULTS: The COT versus AOT claimants had higher opioid costs ($8618 vs $94), longer TTD (636.2 vs 182.3), and average MED (66.8 vs 34.9). Only 2% of the COT cohort were not released to work. Fifty-seven percent of patients in the COT category (64 of 112) were released to work while still receiving opioids. CONCLUSION: COT does not preclude ability to work when prescribing within established guidelines.
