As the shortage of primary care physicians grows, more injured workers are receiving initial care from advanced practitioners—nurse practitioners and physician assistants. This study asks a timely question: Does it make a difference?

There’s growing interest in understanding how provider type influences outcomes. Some worry that advanced practitioners may lack the specialized experience to manage certain injuries. This study sheds light on how care provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants shapes patterns of care and claim outcomes.

WCRI tested these concerns by comparing claim outcomes when the initial provider was an advanced practitioner versus a primary care physician. Key measures included the following:

  • Time to first nonemergency office visit
  • Number of medical visits
  • Use and timing of specialty care
  • MRI use within six weeks
  • Medical and indemnity payments
  • Duration of temporary disability

The analysis for the study draws on detailed claims and medical data from 29 states, covering over 80 percent of workers’ compensation benefits paid in 2022. It includes injuries from October 1, 2012, to September 30, 2022, and tracks outcomes up to 6 or 12 months postinjury.

Advanced Practitioners and Workers’ Compensation Claim Outcomes. Bogdan Savych and Olesya Fomenko. July 2025. WC-25-26.