WCRI Study Shows How States Build Workers Comp Medical Fee Schedules
CutCompCosts.com has always loved workers comp medical fee schedules. Try this search to see how many articles appeared on this website for many years in the past. Medical fee schedules control workers comp costs in many states.
States without medical fee schedules tend to pay more for treatment.
One hidden benefit of workers comp medical fee schedules enables claims adjusters to more accurately assess workers comp medical expenses. Accurate assessments mean better reserving in files.
With the advent of AI in Workers Comp claims, suggested medical reserves using claim characteristics can be a timesaver for adjusters. AI in reserving has been in place since 2004 in Ohio.
How States Build Workers Comp Medical Fee Schedules
An example chart from the 112-page study report is shown below. A comparison of major radiology technical components in each state. Most are based on Medicare fee schedules for each state using relative values. The chart does not mean that Nevada tallies as the most expensive state for Workers Comp medical benefits.
Each chart has an explanation for any deviations from the normal way states build workers comp fee schedules. Some states have multiple fee schedule regions and other factor affect the fee schedules.
From WCRI
This study outlines the key decisions public officials face when establishing or revising physician fee schedules. It examines how 44 states with fee schedules and the District of Columbia have addressed these challenges as of March 31, 2025, and analyzes major changes to professional medical service fee schedules since March 2022—particularly in light of elevated inflation in the broader economy.
It also compares fee schedule levels across states for professional services, which account for about 41 percent of workers’ compensation medical costs.
You can find out more and purchase the study here. for a nominal fee. If you are a WCRI member, the study is free.
