This study examines medical payments, prices, and utilization in Louisiana and compares them with 17 other states (Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin).

How these metrics of medical costs and care have changed, mainly from 2010 to 2015 for claims at an average of 12 months of experience, were also examined. Claims with experience through 2016 for injuries up to and including 2015 were analyzed.

The report can help policymakers and other stakeholders identify changes over time in the provision of workers’ compensation medical care; detect areas where medical payments per claim, prices, or utilization may be higher or lower compared with other study states; and reveal areas where legislative changes or system features and processes may be impacting the costs or delivery of medical services.

CompScope™ Medical Benchmarks for Louisiana, 18th Edition. Carol A. Telles. October 2017. WC-17-40.