Trends in Medical Utilization as a Function of Age and Tenure—A WCRI FlashReport

By Rebecca (Rui) Yang, Karen Rothkin, Evelina Radeva, Roman Dolinschi

February 25, 2025 Related Topics: COVID 19, Medical Costs, System Overview

This FlashReport examines how medical utilization trends during the COVID-19 pandemic varied by workers' age and job tenure. A significant driver behind trends in medical payments per claim during the pandemic was a decrease in medical utilization. This report offers valuable insights into how these patterns differed across workers of varying ages and tenures.

The study analyzed data from 17 states covering the years 2017 to 2022, with particular emphasis on the pandemic period beginning in 2019. It explores medical service utilization by age and tenure, focusing on key areas such as office visits, emergency care, physical medicine, and major surgeries. The report specifically looks at non-COVID claims, highlighting the broader impact of the pandemic on medical care.

Trends in Medical Utilization as a Function of Age and Tenure—A WCRI FlashReport. Rebecca Yang, Karen Rothkin, Evelina Radeva, and Roman Dolinschi. February 2025. FR-25-02.

Copyright: WCRI

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Research Questions:

  • Did COVID-19 impact medical utilization differently for various age or job tenure groups?
  • What were the trends in medical utilization during the pandemic for these groups?
  • Did changes in age and tenure distributions of injured workers contribute to the overall decrease in medical utilization?

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