Degenerative and Comorbid Conditions in Workers’ Compensation, a new study that examines the impact of comorbidities on workers' compensation claim outcomes.
The study analyzed the frequency, cost, and duration of temporary disability for degenerative and comorbid conditions that coexist with primary work-related injuries, focusing on 930,000 claims with more than seven days of lost time across 32 states.
According to WCRI, 21.9% of claims had one (and only one) comorbidity, 9.7% of claims had two (and only two) comorbidities, and 7.2% of claims had three or more comorbidities. No comorbidities were identified in 61.2% of claims.
Degenerative comorbid conditions such as degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis, were the most frequent of all comorbidities considered, appearing in 18.7% of claims. Degenerative disc disease was found in 33% of claims where the primary work-related injury resulted in neurologic back condition, and osteoarthritis was found in 36% of claims where the primary work-related injury was rotator cuff or shoulder impingement.
The frequency of other comorbidities was as follows:
- Hypertension – 10.6%
- Substance use – 8.5%
- Mental health conditions – 3.9%
- Diabetes – 3.7%
- Obesity 3%
Claims involving comorbidities had higher costs and longer disability durations. Claims without degenerative or comorbid conditions had per claim values for medical payments, indemnity benefits, and temporary disability duration at $9,434, $10,967, and 10.5 week respectively. For claims with a single comorbid condition, medical payments, indemnity benefits, and temporary disability duration were more than double those of claims without comorbidities. These costs and durations increased even further with multiple comorbidities.
