The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) conducted the 10th annual report of the New York workers’ compensation system. New York passed legislation calling for reform in 2007, which requires the state to regularly track key performance metrics. Among other provisions, the legislation also increased maximum statutory benefits, limited the number of weeks of permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits, and required the implementation of medical treatment guidelines and a fee schedule for pharmaceuticals over the span of 10 years, according to WCRI. The following are among the study’s major findings: Indemnity benefits per claim increased 7–11% per year from 2007 to 2015, mainly reflecting provisions of the 2007 reform and related changes in settlement behavior. Medical payments per claim grew 3–6% per year from 2007 to 2014 for all providers, but decreased in 2015. There was a decrease in visits per claim for some nonhospital providers after implementation of the medical treatment guidelines. There was little change in prices paid for most nonhospital services since 2002. Benefit delivery expenses per claim increased 7–8% per year since 2007. The components (medical cost containment, defense attorney payments, and medical-legal expenses) all grew, but the relative share of the components was fairly stable. For the full report, click here.
