Research

In 2004, state lawmakers were considering a proposal to cap the payment of temporary disability beyond two years. To evaluate the potential impact of such a move, policymakers needed to know what proportion of claims involved more than two years of paid TD benefits and the proportion of TD paid after the two-year threshold. Results of this analysis hinged on the specific start and stop points state lawmakers used to define the two-year time frame.

This analysis compares vocational rehabilitation payments prior to 2004 to the maximum voucher amounts allowed by the new Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit program that took effect for injuries on and after January 1, 2004.

This report established baseline medical utilization data to begin to track trends subsequent to the inception of AB749.

This study compares the evidence base and medical recommendations underlying different medical treatment guidelines for low back injury. The results show that different guidelines often have fundamentally different recommendations in regard to appropriate services and frequency of treatment for low back injuries — a lack of agreement that can produce conflict and debate within the workers compensation system.

This study compares recovery and cost outcomes and the use of common medical procedures 1) not recommended by the ACOEM Guidelines and 2) those recommended with optimal targets (PT and chiro services). Results show that when treatment exceeded ACOEM-recommended levels, medical and indemnity payments, treatment durations, and the number of paid TD days were significantly higher for many medical service categories.

This analysis compared the average amounts paid under the revised outpatient surgery facility fee schedule effective on January 1, 2004 to the average payments for the same services prior to adoption of the schedule.