Affordable Care Act – Effect on Workers Comp- LIVE
The Effect of Th Affordable Care Act(Obamacare) on WC could be significant.
Dr. Richard Victor- (Will update during presentation until finished) – not edited until final version
The effects of ACA on WC are: (could be):
- Increased demand for medical care
- Shortage of providers – when demand exceeds supply
- Possible increased prices- basic market function when supply stays same and demand increases – remember the gas lines in the 1970’s?
- How will WC system adjust to ACA? – use of Nurse Practitioners , Physician Assistants, Pharmacists, Podiatrists
- States that will be affected more are ones that have opted-in for the Medicaid expansion
- States may have to increase the appeal of their medical markets to recruit and maintain medical providers
- Workers Comp overall pays more than health providers, especially Medicaid/Medicare
29% of all patients in Canada have to wait for even basic medical care
Workers Compensation has the indemnity benefit that will be lengthened – Will WC carriers pay more than fee schedule to reduce the indemnity benefits?
Surprisingly, there are many states where WC actually pays less than Medicaid/Medicare benfits – which may be the states where there could be a shortage of medical providers unless there is an increase in the fee schedule rates.
Contrast – Minnesota vs. Florida medical environment
Oregon Study – 30,000 people added to Oregon Medicaid program
- Diabetes diagnosis was statistically significant
- Cholesterol diagnosis was not significant
- Depression was identified enough to be statistically significant
- Bottom line – increasing medical coverage increases public health
States that have longer term use of opioids – Louisiana was #1 for long tern opioid use. Arkansas had highest surgical rates of any state.
Cost shifting – higher prices to WC as part of a shift in the general medical marketplace
Hospital mergers showed little statistical significance as they relate to increases in prices
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