Workers Comp Treating Physicians – WCRI New Report – Landscape Changing
When the Workers Comp treating physicians shift treatment patterns, the subject demands a mention. One of the big shifts that I have noticed in my medical bill analysis when conducting reviews was recently analyzed by WCRI (Workers Comp Research Institute).
WCRI’s report showed that the Worker Comp treating physicians and office visits changed dramatically in certain states. When I had to change my healthcare treatment, I experienced what the chart below shows. I now am seen in an office visit setting by a Physicians Assistant. I do not feel that I am receiving a diminished level of care.
The chart shows how Workers Comp patients seek treatment from Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs). The full study and report by WCRI can be found here.
The three main questions answered by the study and report according to WCRI:
- How has workers’ access to primary care physicians, as opposed to nurse practitioners or physician assistants, changed since 2013, including during the pandemic?
- Did the use of advanced practitioners (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) instead of physicians vary across states and between urban and rural areas?
- How did the increases in the number of advanced practitioners impact claim costs, disability duration, and types of care provided?
Articles in this blog on NPs show my affinity to having them onsite to decrease Workers Comp budgets quickly –
Nurse Practitioner Good For Workers Comp?
Moving Away from Workers Comp Treating Physicians in One Graph
From the WCRI webpage
Analyzing workers’ compensation data from 2013 to 2022, the study identifies trends in access to primary care physicians versus advanced practitioners like nurse practitioners and physician assistants. It examines regional differences in advanced practitioner use and the effects of provider supply changes on claim costs, disability duration, and types of care provided. Using WCRI’s Detailed Benchmark/Evaluation (DBE) database, the study offers valuable insights to help stakeholders address changes in the medical workforce.
Over 40% of office visits in 16 study states from the chart indicate that NPs and PAs workers comp patients. Four states -Nevada, Indiana, New Mexico, and North Carolina claimants receive treatment by NPs or PAs over 50% of the time. That shows a big shift in treatment patterns.
Bottom Line
See if your state is in the above graph. Workers comp treating physicians are now shifting to PAs and NPs. Employers, adjusters, and anyone who deals with WC may have to shift their Workers Comp medical treatment network.
See the study link at the top of the article. This study and report justify the nominal fee. If you are a WCRI member, then you can receive it freebies. Either way, this study earns the fee.
