This study informs policymakers and stakeholders in North Carolina by identifying current cost drivers and emerging trends in the payments, prices, and utilization of medical services across both hospital and nonhospital providers in the state’s workers’ compensation system.

The report compares these medical payment metrics in North Carolina with those in 26 other states and analyzes recent changes through 2025. Additionally, we draw on findings from other WCRI studies to create a more comprehensive overview of the system in North Carolina.

The study also provides an overview of how shifts in the composition of workers’ compensation claims and external factors—such as the economy, inflation, and medical care—have likely affected medical payments and treatment in recent years.

CompScope™ Medical Benchmarks for North Carolina, 2026 Edition. William Monnin-Browder. September 2026. WC-26-33.