Injectable therapies play a key role in workers’ compensation care, yet information on their use and costs has been limited—until now. This new study addresses that gap by examining utilization, costs, key cost drivers, and recent trends across 28 states through early 2024.

The report classifies distinct subgroups of injectable therapies by medication type and injection procedure, identifies those most commonly used in workers’ compensation, and highlights early signs of growth in emerging biologic and regenerative treatments. Establishing this baseline provides a foundation for tracking evolving patterns and understanding their implications for medical costs and care provided to injured workers.

These findings are particularly valuable for policymakers and stakeholders because injectable therapies are often clinically complex, invasive, and costly. Understanding their use has important implications for treatment pathways, appropriate care, and overall patient safety and recovery. The relatively high cost of some injectables also underscores the need for oversight aimed at managing medical costs.

The analysis draws on medical billing and prescription data for non-COVID-19 claims from 28 states, representing more than 75 percent of workers’ compensation benefits nationwide.

Injectable Therapies in Workers’ Compensation. Vennela Thumula, Te-Chun Liu, Dongchun Wang, and Randall D. Lea. January 2026. WC-26-01.