Monitoring Trends in the New York Workers’ Compensation System, 2018 Edition

By Carol A. Telles, William Monnin-Browder, WCRI

October 29, 2018 Related Topics: Annual State Medical CompScope™ Benchmarks

This is the 11th annual report to regularly track key metrics of the performance of the New York workers’ compensation system after the implementation of the following statutory changes enacted in March 2007:

  • increased maximum statutory benefits
  • limited the number of weeks of permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits
  • implemented medical treatment guidelines
  • adopted a fee schedule for pharmaceuticals
  • established networks for diagnostic services and thresholds for preauthorization
  • enacted administrative changes to increase the speed of resolving disputes

Originally established to monitor the system following reforms in 2007, the report has evolved into a tool for tracking key metrics of system performance on an ongoing basis. This regular monitoring helps policymakers and system stakeholders focus attention on policy objectives that are being met, objectives that are not being met, and unintended consequences that have emerged.

The analysis in this edition includes trends in indemnity benefits, medical payments, and benefit delivery expenses from 2007 to 2016 for claims at different maturities. Various interstate comparisons from other WCRI studies are provided to help put the performance of the New York system into perspective, such as prices paid for medical services and the frequency and amount of opioids dispensed to injured workers.

Monitoring Trends in the New York Workers’ Compensation System, 2018 Edition. William Monnin-Browder and Carol A. Telles. October 2018. WC-18-43.

Video:

 

Copyright: WCRI

pdf download

pdf, 399KB

Reports are free for members.

If you are a member, please login here

.

*Temporary membership will allow you to download the study represented here

Research Questions:

  • Did utilization of medical care change following implementation of the 2010 treatment guidelines?
  • How did indemnity benefits per claim change after increases in the maximum statutory benefits and caps on duration of PPD benefits?
  • Did defense attorney involvement and average payments change since the 2007 reforms?

Contact WCRI

To obtain your member login or to answer any questions or concern you may have, please contact us here.