Broad Metrics Show Virginia To Be a Lower Cost State, But Medical Costs Per Claim Higher Than Most States and Rising, Says New WCRI Study

Cambridge, MA, February 2, 2012 – Broad metrics of workers’ compensation costs show that Virginia is a lower cost state, largely due to a lower frequency of claims, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). A new WCRI study, Benchmarks for Virginia, CompScope™ 12^th Edition, found the average cost of medical care per claim for injured workers in Virginia is among the highest of the states included in the study.

Faster Growth in California Workers Compensation Indemnity Costs Per Claim After 2007 May Reflect Impact of Recession, Says Study

Cambridge, MA, January 23, 2012 –  Impact of the recession on California's workers' compensation system was observed as indemnity costs per claim grew faster from 2007 to 2009 than in prior years, according to a new study, CompScope™ Benchmarks for California, 12th Edition, by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

Florida Workers' Compensation Costs Per Claim Growing Following Declines Generated by 2003 System Reforms

Cambridge, MA, January 17, 2012 – Workers’ compensation costs per claim in Florida, which dropped in the year following system reforms in 2003, showed signs of growth from 2005 to 2009, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

WCRI Study Shows Hospital Outpatient Costs Higher In States Without Fee Schedules

Cambridge, MA, January 10, 2012 – As legislators slash state budgets due to rising healthcare costs, a recent study, Hospital Outpatient Cost Index for Workers’ Compensation, by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) provides policymakers and other stakeholders with a tool to indentify and better understand hospital costs.

Michigan Workers’ Compensation Costs Per Claim Grew Slowly, Reflecting Offsetting Recessionary Pressures, Says Study

Cambridge, MA, January 3, 2012 – The deep recession in Michigan is impacting the workers’ compensation system there as some costs per claim rose slowly, according to a new study, CompScope™ Benchmarks for Michigan, 12^th Edition, by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

Little Evidence of Impact of Recession on Workers' Compensation Costs Per Claim In Maryland, Says New WCRI Study

Cambridge, MA, January 3, 2012 – Modest growth of workers’ compensation indemnity costs per claim in Maryland indicated little evidence of the potential impact of the recession, according to a new study, CompScope™ Benchmarks for Maryland, 12^th Edition, by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

Senior WCRI Researchers Recognized By National Academy of Social Insurance

Cambridge, MA, December 30, 2011 – The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) recently invited two staffers from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) to become members - Deputy Director and Counsel, Ramona Tanabe, and Senior Analyst, Carol Telles. 

Recent Growth in Texas Workers Compensation Claim Costs Partly Reflects Impact of Reforms, Says New Study

Cambridge, MA, December 20, 2011 – The average cost of a workers compensation claim in Texas grew five percent in 2009, reflecting the impact of recent medical fee schedule increases and possibly some effect of the recession, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

Louisiana Workers' Compensation Costs Grew at Double-Digit Rates, Fastest Growth Among 16 States in Recent Years

Cambridge, MA, December 20, 2011 – Workers’ compensation costs per claim for Louisiana grew at a double-digit rate in recent years, the fastest growth among all states in a new study by Cambridge, Mass.-based Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

Early Impact of the 2007 Reforms in New York

Cambridge, MA, December 7, 2011 – The early impact of the 2007 New York workers’ compensation reforms is identified by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) in a new study, Early Impact of the 2007 Reforms in New York, designed to evaluate whether the regulatory changes met stated objectives. 

Recession Impacting Return to Work of Injured Workers: Study Examines Role of Workers' Compensation Systems

Cambridge, MA, November 29, 2011 – Against a backdrop of high unemployment, some injured workers may face even greater challenges in returning to work, leading to potential increases in the duration of disability, according to a new study, Factors Influencing Return to Work for Injured Workers: Lessons from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Medical Prices and Growth in Indiana’s Workers’ Compensation System among the Highest in WCRI’s Medical Price Index

Cambridge, MA, November 11, 2011 – According to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), Indiana had the third highest prices paid among the 25 states studied and growth nearly 30 percent over 9 years.

Medical Prices in Virginia’s Workers’ Compensation System Continued Rapid Growth in WCRI’s Medical Price Index

Cambridge, MA, November 11, 2011 – According to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), Virginia had higher prices paid and faster growth compared to study states with fee schedule regulations.

Wisconsin’s Workers’ Compensation System had the Highest Prices and Fastest Growth in WCRI’s Medical Price Index

Cambridge, MA, November 11, 2011 – According to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), Wisconsin had the highest prices and they were growing most rapidly among the study states.

WCRI Research Conference Offers New Strategies to Manage Key Workers' Compensation Issues

Cambridge, MA, September 28, 2011 -  New research providing innovative approaches to manage critical workers’ compensation issues will be presented at the Workers Compensation Research Institute’s (WCRI) 28^th Annual Issues & Research Conference, scheduled for Nov. 16-17 in Boston.  The early registration discount ends this Friday, Sept. 30, 2011.

Medical Networks, Cost Containment Strategies Help Control Growth in Medical Payments to Injured Workers In New Jersey

Cambridge, MA, September 9, 2011 -  The extensive use of medical networks and other cost containment strategies helped control the costs of medical care provided to injured workers in New Jersey despite the lack of price regulations, according to a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

WCRI Builds Better Tool for Understanding Growth of Medical Prices in Workers' Compensation Compared to Consumer Price Index for Medical Care

Cambridge, MA, August 29, 2011 - Over recent years the costs of medical treatment per claim for workers' compensation injuries have been growing rapidly due to growing medical prices in some jurisdictions.