New research shows impact of underlying conditions on workers’ compensation claims

The workers' compensation industry needs to do a better job of managing underlying chronic conditions along with an employee's injury in order to better manage claims costs, research shows.. (Photo: iStock)

Claims involving comorbidities are often associated with higher costs and increased duration, but the latest research from Harbor Health Systems undeniably demonstrates the impact comorbidities have on claims outcomes. Based on this research analyzing more than 7,000 workers’ compensation claims, claims associated with comorbid conditions experienced longer claims duration, higher medical costs, more temporary total disability (TTD) days and increased litigation and surgery rates. These findings were recently presented at the National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference (NWCDC), in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The research study evaluated the following seven comorbidities in claims with an injury date between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013: obesity, diabetes, hypertension, addiction, mental health, tobacco use and multiple comorbidities.