Waltham, MA, October 6, 2026— Medical costs per claim in New Jersey increased by 8 percent per year between 2022 and 2025, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

“Most states have experienced rapid growth in medical costs per claim since 2022,” said Sebastian Negrusa, WCRI vice president of research. “Costs in New Jersey are rising much faster than the median state, however; and that growth is concentrated in certain sectors of the workers’ compensation system.”

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

The report, authored by Evelina Radeva, 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.