Medical cost containment in the Wisconsin workers’ compensation market

Author

R.J. Lehmann

Former Director, Finance, Insurance & Trade; Former Resident Senior Fellow

Press Release

R Street finds Wisconsin workers’ comp system fails to control costs

Abstract

Medical inflation in the workers’ compensation market has outpaced that in either group health or Medicare. In Wisconsin, in particular, workers’ comp medical claims have rapidly outpaced those in other states, including those both with and without a published medical fee schedule. This paper draws on recent research from NCCI Holdings, the Workers Compensation Research Institute and the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance on some of the drivers behind this trend, as well as discussing potential options for reform.