Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the California WCRIB’s recent release of an updated report that examines the medical characteristics of COVID-19 claims and “Long COVID” in the California workers’ comp system.
Key highlights from the 2023 update to the report included that COVID-19 claims for accident years 2020 and 2021 share a similar mix of mild, hospital and death claims. Over a 12-month post-acute care period, approximately 13% of COVID-19 claims with medical payments received treatments for long COVID symptoms in the workers’ comp system. The report also notes that the risks of long COVID are higher among female workers, workers over age 50 as well as those with comorbidities. Claims involving treatments for long COVID symptoms were also found to be 4x more likely to receive permanent disability benefits compared to other COVID-19 claims without treatments for long COVID symptoms.