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Workers’ comp leaders face tougher claims despite steadier injury rates
NCCI data cited by the industry shows medical and indemnity severity rose about 4% in the latest accident year, driven by more complex claim types and longer durations.
Workers’ compensation executives say the job has become harder even as claim frequency stays flat or declines, according to analysis cited by Risk & Insurance.
The publication points to NCCI findings that medical and indemnity severity each climbed roughly 4% in the most recent accident year, with industry research from Enlyte reflecting the same shift.
Risk & Insurance attributes the worsening mix to claim complexity rather than more injuries. Claims involving behavioral health treatment are described as running at nearly four times the medical cost and more than double the duration versus claims without behavioral health, while comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and prior surgery are said to appear in most case-managed claims.
The article also highlights rising shares of musculoskeletal and soft-tissue injuries, alongside staffing pressures. It notes musculoskeletal and soft-tissue injuries make up roughly half of all claims, claims workforce attrition could remove hundreds of thousands of insurance-sector workers in coming years, and regulatory requirements are described as continually changing, including presumption laws and new state-level mental health statutes.