Things you should know

Medical costs rising in comp

A study of 18 states by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that work comp medical costs rose five to 14 percent in recent years. Contributing factors were updates to state medical fee schedules, increases for several non-hospital services, including physical medicine and professional services, and hospital outpatient services.

According to Enlyte's 2025 Drug Trends report, prescription costs increased 4.3 percent per claim in 2024 despite a 5.5 percent drop in opioid utilization, driven by high-cost topical medications and migraine treatments. While overall utilization of prescribed drugs declined 0.8 percent, topical medications increased 5.9 percent and migraine medication use surged 15.2 percent. The report noted the most concerning trend involves "opportunistic products," primarily private-label topical analgesics marketed directly to physicians' offices.

Study links high heat to 28,000 injuries per year

A recent study by Harvard University and George Washington University examined 2023 data from OSHA's Injury Tracking Application for establishments with 100 or more employees, primarily in high-hazard industries. The risk of injury increased when the heat index was around 85° and rises even more when the heat index is 90° F or higher. Particularly noteworthy, even moderate heat exposure adversely affected cognitive performance and coordination. Workplace injuries increased across all industry sectors, including indoor jobs.

Cannabis outperforms opioids for lower back pain in late-stage trials

An experimental cannabis-derived medication was safer and more effective than a placebo and opioids for treating chronic lower back pain in two late-stage trials, according to researchers.

Remote work drops office worker claims by 40 percent: NCCI study

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) released findings that saw a 40 percent decline in workers compensation claims frequency among most office workers who worked remotely from 2019 to 2022. However, the impact on overall frequency is small, "because such workers represent a small share of overall premium."

DOT updates employer guidelines on drug and alcohol testing

The updated guidelines cover training and other requirements for supervisors in DOT agencies subject to testing. There are also changes to guidance related to oral fluid drug testing, which is allowed, but not implemented because no labs have been certified.

New guide to help businesses adopt safety technologies

The National Safety Council's Small Business Guide to Safety Technology is intended to help small and medium-sized businesses understand how strategic investments in the right tools can help reduce risk without straining budgets.

Hearing protection guide offers step-by-step instructions on fit testing

The National Hearing Conservation Association's guide on fit testing hearing protection explains the importance of fit tests and features step-by-step instructions for successfully performing them.

New guide on silica and dust in concrete floor trade

The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association conducted a silica and dust exposure assessment for six work tasks in the concrete floor trade. It published the findings and recommendations in a concise bulletin.

Communication tower association publishes contractor safety checklist

A checklist from NATE, the Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, aims to help carriers "evaluate a contractor's dedication to safety."

State News

California

• The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has posted proposed changes to its Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits (SJDB) rules and forms on its online forum page.
• DWC has posted proposed changes to its Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS) Rules.
• Worker comp presumptions expanded with the passage of two bills. Senate Bill 230 adds firefighters at commercial airports, NASA sites, and Department of Defense installations to the same presumptions as municipal firefighters. Assembly Bill 1125 extends heart condition coverage to peace officers in state hospitals, aligning them with corrections officers.
• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills requiring regulators to provide yearly updates on disciplinary actions against unlicensed contractors and setting a minimum fine for contracting without work comp coverage. He vetoed a bill that would have revised eligibility criteria for the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund but ordered the DWC to prepare a reform plan for the beleaguered second-injury program.
• Breaking a five-year stable trend, there was a five percent increase in medical payments per claim in 2023-24, according to WCRI.

Massachusetts

• Healthesystems published a summary of concerns voiced at the fee schedule stakeholder input session.

Michigan

• Medical payments rose seven percent annually (2021/2022-2023/2024) after prior declines, with growth attributed to fee schedule updates. Prescription payments were 19 percent above the median, with a higher percentage of claims involving prescriptions. (WCRI)

Minnesota

• Medical payments increased nine percent in 2022 and six percent in 2023, after three years of decline driven by growth in professional, facility and inpatient service prices. Prescription payments were 44 percent below the median, despite typical prescription volume. (WCRI)
• November issue of Campus Connect - news, updates and announcements about workers compensation is available.
• The recent Labor and Industry newsletter includes information on updated minimum-wage, new paid leave posters.

Pennsylvania

• Medical payments per claim increased 14 percent in 2023, following years of decline, driven in part by larger annual fee schedule updates. Prescription payments averaged $3,104, the highest among study states, with a typical share of claims involving prescriptions. (WCRI)

Wisconsin

• Medical payments experienced six percent annual growth (2021-2023) and the state had the highest payments per claim among study states due to high service prices. (WCRI)
• Recently enacted legislation required a hospital fee schedule to take effect on July 1, 2027; however, there is no professional fee schedule.