As regular readers of our Miami, Florida Workers’ Compensation Law Blog know, we typically dedicate this space to issues important to people who suffer injuries on the job. A recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) helps policy makers, legislators and injured employees across the nation assess how their states measure up in terms of workers’ comp payments to medical professionals.
The 10th edition of the WCRI Medical Price Index for Workers’ Compensation compares prices paid for medical services across 35 states that represent nearly 90 percent of all workers’ comp benefits paid in the U.S. It also tracks changes in prices over the decade from 2008 to last year for services by doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors.
The WCRI Price Index breaks medical services into eight categories: physical medicine, surgeries, major radiology, minor radiology, pain management injections, neurological testing, emergency care and evaluation and management.
The study shows that prices paid for medical services varies widely across states. For instance, the Florida workers’ comp system pays 26 percent below the 35-state median for professional services, while Wisconsin pays 158 percent above the median.
Changes in prices paid for services also vary widely, the WCRI Medical Price Index shows, with Wisconsin again leading the way, paying 39 percent more from 2008 to 2017. Illinois, on the other hand, had a 17 percent decrease in prices paid over that same decade.
The study also looks at price trends in states that have had major fee schedule changes (Illinois, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Texas).
If you have submitted a claim for Florida workers’ compensation and been turned down for deserved benefits, contact The Accident Law Group to discuss your legal options.