The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a report titled “Monitoring Trends in the New York Workers’ Compensation System, 2018 Edition” which is part of an ongoing effort to track how the performance of the state’s comp system changed after changes were enacted in March of 2007. The state increased maximum statutory benefits, limited the number of weeks of permanent partial disability, implemented treatment guidelines, adopted a fee schedule for pharmaceuticals, established networks for diagnostic services and thresholds for preauthorization, and enacted administrative changes to try and resolve disputes more quickly.
This report takes a yearly look at how objectives are being met, or if they are not being met, and tracks any unintended consequences of the changes.
Indemnity benefits per claim increased 8 to 9 percent a year from 2007 to 2014, which is attributed to the reforms. Since 2014, indemnity benefits per claim were stable for less mature claims with 12 and 24 months of experience. Medical payments per claim grew 3 to 4 percent per year from 2007 to 2014 and have been stable since 2014.Benefit delivery expenses per claim increased 7 to 8 percent per year since 2007 with all of the key components contributing to the growth (medical cost containment, defense attorney payments and medical-legal expenses). The time to first indemnity payment improved which may be attributed to new processes of the NY State Workers’ Comp Board.
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