Health Strategy Associates Issues Results of its Second Survey of COVID-19’s Impact on Workers’ Compensation

SKANEATELES, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Workers’ compensation professionals anticipate a 20 percent overall decrease in the number of new injury claims this year, according to Health Strategy Associates’ “The Impact of COVID-19 and Employment Changes on Workers’ Compensation: A Follow-up Survey of Payers and Service Providers.”

Conducted in late May, the survey assessed perspectives, programs, and expectations of 35 workers’ compensation professionals representing large state funds and insurers, national third-party administrators, large self-insured and self-administered employers, and service providers.

“Although respondents are somewhat concerned about presumption laws, the major impact has not come from COVID-19 claims and their costs,” said Health Strategy Associates Principal Joe Paduda. “Instead, it is the economic devastation from lockdowns along with unemployment.”

Service providers saw new claims drop as much as 50 percent practically overnight. Those taking the biggest hit were services used early in a claim, such as occupational medical clinics, transportation, imaging, physical therapy, Independent Medical Exams, and field case management.

Payers anticipate premium reductions driven by business closures and dramatic declines in payroll. They expect extended disability durations on non-COVID-19 claims. Delayed procedures, an inability or unwillingness to seek treatment, fewer jobs to which to return, and/or adjudication processes fueled that concern.

The report describes how the industry has adjusted to the COVID-19 environment, including changes to claims intake, triage, handling, and medical management. It also notes the explosive growth in the use of telemedicine for triage, follow-ups, telerehab and behavioral health.

In addition, it breaks out the different effects the pandemic has had on different types of stakeholders and discusses business models likely to survive. To receive a summary of the report, please see https://www.healthstrategyassoc.com/followup-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-workers-compensation/. A detailed version of the report including respondents’ detailed statements is available for purchase.

About Health Strategy Associates

Based near Syracuse in Skaneateles, New York, Health Strategy Associates consults with insurers, employers, medical management companies, health care providers, and investors. Its highly customized services encompass research, competitive analysis along with operational, marketing and sales improvements. Health Strategy Associates’ Principal is Joe Paduda whose expertise spans Medicaid, group health, workers’ compensation, and pharmacy. Paduda is the author of the thought-provoking www.ManagedCareMatters.com blog and a popular speaker. For more information, please see www.healthstrategyassoc.com and www.CompPharma.com.