Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the TDI-DWC’s recent release of its annual report card on the performance of Workers’ Compensation Health Care Networks in Texas.
The report compares the performance of certified networks with each other, as well as with non-network claims, on a variety of measures including on several different factors, including health care costs, utilization of care, satisfaction with care, access to care, return-to-work outcomes, and health outcomes. Key findings included that the percentage of new claims treated in networks is holding steady; medical costs are generally lower for network claims, (however the difference at 6 months post-injury narrowed in 2022, with average network medical costs increasing 14%); and network claims generally reported better RTW and physical/mental health outcomes.