This study provides information for Virginia policymakers and stakeholders on various components of workers’ compensation medical payments and on drivers of changes in medical costs per claim from 2010 to 2015 (evaluated in 2016).

Among the main components of medical costs, the report highlights prices paid for medical services and utilization of those services. It also compares these metrics in Virginia with similar measures from 17 other states (Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin).

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 Virginia, 18th Edition. Bogdan Savych. October 2017. WC-17-48.