WCRI Webinar: Role of Medical Prices in Outcomes of Injured Workers

July 12, 2019 by WorkCompWire

Cambridge, MA – Does it matter for outcomes that workers experience after their injuries if workers’ compensation pays less or more for medical care than group health insurers?

Dr. Bogdan Savych of the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a one-hour webinar on Thursday, August 8, at 2 p.m. ET as he discusses the findings from his study Workers’ Compensation Medical Prices and Outcomes of Injured Workers and takes audience questions.

The study is the first to combine surveys of injured workers with claims data to provide a comprehensive look at the relationship between workers’ compensation prices for medical services and the outcomes that workers experience after a work-related injury.

“One of the concerns that is often expressed is that when workers’ compensation prices are set too low, workers would experience problems getting timely access to medical care. This, in turn, would lead to poor recovery and problems with achieving timely return to work,” said John Ruser, president and CEO of WCRI. “However, prior evidence about the relationship between workers’ compensation prices and outcomes was limited until this study.”

Questions Addressed:

  • How are changes in workers’ compensation prices related to the outcomes that workers experience after work-related injuries, including measures of access to care, amount of care received, recovery of health and functioning, return to work, and duration of disability?
  • How does the impact of prices on outcomes vary based on whether workers’ compensation prices are substantially below or above prices paid by group health insurers?
  • What is the predicted change in outcomes when prices increase or decrease?

Webinars are $50 for Non-Members and FREE for WCRI Members, members of the press, legislators as well as their staff, and state public officials who make policy decisions regarding workers’ compensation. Attendance is limited to 500 people, and all attendees receive a free copy of the slides.

Register here: WCRI Webinar: Workers’ Compensation Medical Prices and Outcomes of Injured Workers

Source: WCRI