Boca Raton, FL – NCCI recently released a new Insights research brief that examines Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) in Workers’ Compensation and their associated medical services and costs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a significant cause of disability and death in the United States. A TBI is defined as a physical trauma to the head that alters the normal function of the brain.
Those suffering from TBIs may not ever fully regain their social independence due to long-term side effects such as debilitating cognitive, mood, and behavioral problems. Based on the lasting effects of severe TBIs, these injuries have the potential to become disabling and very costly early on and over time.
For active claims between Service Years 2013 and 2018, about 15% of permanent total claims with reporting through a second report had a TBI associated with the claim.
- NCCI research on mega claims has found that brain and head injuries, such as TBIs, account for a significant portion of mega claims—17% of mega claims between $3 million and $5 million, and 30% of mega claims in excess of $10 million.
- For active claims between 2013 and 2018, the average total incurred cost per TBI claim7 was more than double the average for all lost-time claims through a second report.
- As of 2018, lost-time TBI claims accounted for almost 5% of reported medical payments on all countrywide lost-time claims even though they represent only 2.5% of these claims.
The brief provides insight into the costs and medical services associated with TBI claims.
Read it here: NCCI Insights: Traumatic Brain Injuries in Workers’ Comp – Associated Medical Services and Costs
Source: NCCI