The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) published a new report on trends in the Delaware workers’ comp system from 2017-2022. This is the fourth annual report, covering trends in claim costs, medical payments, indemnity benefits, disability duration, and more, with data through March 2023.

According to the report, total claim costs increased by 3% annually from 2019-2022, driven by rising indemnity benefits, while medical payments remained stable.  Medical payments saw minimal changes from 2019-2022, with 43% of payments going to physicians and 20% to physical/occupational therapists.

Prescription payments per claim decreased by nearly 30% from 2017-2020 as a result of decreases in utilization and in payments per prescription. However, prescription payments per claim increased significantly in 2021, due to increased use of dermatological agents.

In 2021, dermatological agents saw a 50% increase in average prescription payment per claim. However, average prescription payments per claim for dermatological agents later fell, resulting in lower overall prescription payments in 2022. Dermatological agents made up approximately 35% of all prescription payments in Q1 of 2023 in Delaware – the largest share of all other therapeutic groups of drugs.

The most commonly prescribed dermatological drug in Delaware was diclofenac sodium (Voltaren^®), making up 20% of prescription payments in Q1 of 2023.