Today’s edition of WorkCompRecap features another interesting study from the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), this time on their analysis of the impact that preauthorization has on medical costs in Workers Comp. The study reviewed the effects of three reforms enacted in Texas in the early 2000’s, which required preauthorization by payers of workers’ comp benefits for physical and occupational therapy services, spinal surgery, and work hardening and conditioning services.
Among other findings, the study reported that preauthorization had a seven percent reduction in the number of injured workers receiving physical medicine and occupational therapy, and a 39 percent reduction in the number of visits per worker. Preauthorization apparently also had significant impact in reducing the number of patients who received more than 15 visits for physical medicine services.
Find out more (including more key findings!) by clicking here!