Waltham, MA, September 15, 2026— Medical costs per claim in California rose by 7% in 2025, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). This increase followed similar growth in 2024.

“California medical costs per claim stayed stable or even declined in 2020–2023 but have increased notably since then,” said Sebastian Negrusa, WCRI vice president of research. “If you are a policymaker or stakeholder in the California workers’ compensation system, this study provides critical information on how the system continues to evolve.”

The report, CompScope™ Medical Benchmarks for California, 2026 Edition, identifies cost drivers and emerging trends in medical payments, prices, and utilization among nonhospital and hospital providers. It compares California with 26 other states and analyzes recent changes through 2025.

The report, authored by William Monnin-Browder, is free for members and available to nonmembers for a fee. Click here for more information.

About WCRI

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization based in Waltham, Massachusetts. WCRI provides objective, high-quality research to help policymakers and other stakeholders make informed decisions about state workers' compensation systems. Its diverse membership includes employers, insurers, government agencies, managed care companies, health care providers, insurance regulators, labor organizations, and state administrative agencies.

###