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Workers’ comp and group health can share clinical lessons

National Comp 2026 featured a panel discussion comparing how workers’ comp and group health handle the same medical cases, including care pathways and patient access.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Industry & Deals

Workers’ compensation and group health often treat similar medical patients in very different ways, and a panel of clinicians who have worked across both systems said the two approaches can still offer lessons to each other, according to Risk & Insurance.

At National Comp 2026 in Las Vegas, the discussion walked through a hypothetical patient with a torn rotator cuff and major depression, contrasting the workers’ comp experience, with claim authorizations and nurse case management aimed at returning to work, versus group health, where scheduling decisions and deductibles can affect whether patients pursue recommended care.

Risk & Insurance reports that the panel was moderated by Dr. Mark Williams, medical director at The Hartford, who likened workers’ comp and group health to “distant cousins” that share a common starting point but differ on how to deliver care.

Williams was joined by Silvia Sacalis, vice president of clinical services at Healthesystems, and Ceil Jung, director of clinical operations at Stubb, as the session focused on what workers’ comp might learn from group health and vice versa.

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