Changes in the Medical Workforce and Impact on Claims

By Bogdan Savych, Olesya Fomenko

January 23, 2025 Related Topics: Access to Care, Medical Costs

This study explores shifts in the medical workforce and their impact on injured workers. It highlights challenges such as medical provider shortages and rising health care demand, which can cause treatment delays, prolonged recovery times, and higher workers' compensation costs. These issues, amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, remain a concern for ensuring timely access to care.

Analyzing workers’ compensation data from 2013 to 2022, the study identifies trends in access to primary care physicians versus advanced practitioners like nurse practitioners and physician assistants. It examines regional differences in advanced practitioner use and the effects of provider supply changes on claim costs, disability duration, and types of care provided. Using WCRI’s Detailed Benchmark/Evaluation (DBE) database, the study offers valuable insights to help stakeholders address changes in the medical workforce.

Changes in the Medical Workforce and Impact on Claims. Bogdan Savych and Olesya Fomenko. January 2025. WC-25-02.

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Research Questions:

  • How has workers’ access to primary care physicians, as opposed to nurse practitioners or physician assistants, changed since 2013, including during the pandemic?
  • Did the use of advanced practitioners (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) instead of physicians vary across states and between urban and rural areas?
  • How did the increases in the number of advanced practitioners impact claim costs, disability duration, and types of care provided?

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