The Impact of a State-Based Workers' Compensation Insurer's Risk Control Services on Employer Claim Frequency and Cost Rates. Issue 7 (1st July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wurzelbacher, Steven J.; Bertke, Stephen J.; Lampl, Michael P.; Bushnell, P. Timothy; Robins, David C.; Naber, Steven J.; Moore, Libby L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 64:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 562
• Page End: 572
• Publication Date: 2022-07-01
• Subjects: consultation -- enforcement -- ergonomics -- loss control -- prevention effectiveness -- risk control -- safety -- workers' compensation; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : This study demonstrated that insurer onsite risk control (RC) consultation services can control or reduce workers' compensation lost-time claim frequency and costs for serviced employers. Insurers and occupational clinicians can further collaborate to improve workplace conditions through injury prevention, accommodation and post-injury stay-at-work or return-to-work programs. Abstract : Objective: This study evaluated the impact of a state workers' compensation (WC) insurer's onsite risk control (RC) services on insured employers' WC claim frequency and cost. Methods: We used two methods to model 2004 to 2017 claims data from 4606 employers that received RC visits over time and compare this claims experience to matching employers that did not receive RC services. Results: Relative total WC claim rates increased slightly after RC services, while relative lost-time claims rates either remained similar or decreased and WC cost rates decreased. The impact of RC services on reducing WC costs was cumulative up to the fourth visit but diminished thereafter. Conclusions: The insurer RC consultation program was effective in reducing WC cost rates for serviced employers. This is consistent with other research conducted on insurer RC services and related regulatory visits.