Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the release of a new study from WCRI that examines the medical workforce treating workers with injuries, and aims to help stakeholders make informed decisions about access to care and attracting more providers.
The study reveals significant differences in physicians’ involvement in treating workers’ compensation patients, with some providers having a large portion of their patient base as injured workers, while others see them only occasionally. Physicians treating a substantial number of workers may also possess a better understanding of occupational injuries and factors that facilitate a timely return to work. The study is the first to examine the workers’ comp physician marketplace across multiple states, addressing key questions such as provider involvement in the system, types of care provided by different physicians, and how characteristics of physician practices change over time.