Abay Asfaw1, Roger Rosa, Rebecca Mao. 1. From the Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Previous research suggests that non-workers' compensation (WC) insurance systems, such as group health insurance (GHI), Medicare, or Medicaid, at least partially cover work-related injury and illness costs. This study further examined GHI utilization and costs. METHODS: Using two-part model, we compared those outcomes immediately after injuries for which accepted WC medical claims made zero or positive medical payments. RESULTS: Controlling for pre-injury GHI utilization and costs and other covariates, our results indicated that post-injury GHI utilization and costs increased regardless of whether a WC medical claim was zero or positive. The increases were highest for zero-cost WC medical claims. CONCLUSION: Our national estimates showed that zero-cost WC medical claims alone could cost the GHI $212 million per year.
OBJECTIVE: Previous research suggests that non-workers' compensation (WC) insurance systems, such as group health insurance (GHI), Medicare, or Medicaid, at least partially cover work-related injury and illness costs. This study further examined GHI utilization and costs. METHODS: Using two-part model, we compared those outcomes immediately after injuries for which accepted WC medical claims made zero or positive medical payments. RESULTS: Controlling for pre-injury GHI utilization and costs and other covariates, our results indicated that post-injury GHI utilization and costs increased regardless of whether a WC medical claim was zero or positive. The increases were highest for zero-cost WC medical claims. CONCLUSION: Our national estimates showed that zero-cost WC medical claims alone could cost the GHI $212 million per year.
Authors: Jessica A R Williams; Glorian Sorensen; Dean Hashimoto; Karen Hopcia; Gregory R Wagner; Leslie I Boden Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2017-06 Impact factor: 2.162