Louise Esola: As provider shortages across health care persist, delays in treatment are becoming one of the most consistent pressure points in the workers compensation industry.  From prolonged disability durations to increased pharmaceutical use and a higher likelihood of litigation, experts say access barriers can reshape the trajectory of a claim in ways that are difficult and costly to unwind...

A 2020 study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute found that earlier initiation of physical therapy for low back pain was linked to lower medical costs, fewer opioid prescriptions and shorter disability durations.

“When care is delayed, it complicates recovery, increases costs and leads to more opioids and more interventions,” said Sebastian Negrusa, Washington-based vice president of research for WCRI.

Read the full article here.  The study that Esola cites is The Timing of Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain: Does It Matter in Workers’ Compensation?  Also possibly of interest is our study on the Impact of Attorney Representation on Workers’ Compensation Payments, since that's also a topic discussed in the article. Visit their pages on our website for more information, including on how you can get a copy!