Boca Raton, FL – NCCI recently released a new Insights research brief, Emergency Room Treatment in Workers Compensation, which examines the characteristics of ER visits, providing baseline information prior to the coronavirus pandemic and thoughts on what the future may hold for the WC environment.
We know that the pandemic has affected the delivery of medical care. Hospitals are diverting resources to treat coronavirus patients, and elective hospital treatments have been deferred.
How might this affect use of ERs by injured workers?
Key information prior to pandemic:
- One in four injured workers visits the ER for initial treatment
- ER costs have risen by nearly 20% since 2013
- Services associated with an ER visit account for more than 10% of total WC medical costs
- The percentage of ER visits by injured workers under the age of 35 is greater than the percentage of those workers in the workforce.
Emergency room visit costs continue to grow, however the long-term duration and impact in workers compensation remain unclear.
Since the onset of COVID-19, there have been many changes in the delivery of medical services, and it remains to be seen how WC will be affected. NCCI will continue to monitor these potential cost drivers.
View the report: NCCI Insights: Emergency Room Treatment in Workers Compensation
Source: NCCI