Medical Benefits Biggest Cost in Calif. Workers’ Comp System

September 28, 2010

  • September 29, 2010 at 8:48 am
    B. Watson says:
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    I understand the amount paid to CA physicians for treating injured workers is 45th of the 50 states. It’s about half Oregon and Nevada. “Medical Benefits” include an array of intermediaries, often vertically integrated with insurance carriers, to reduce the amount paid still further. These include bill review, utilization review, and Medical Provider Networks. “Penny wise but pound foolish”, this shifts the costs to more prolonged treatment, fewer people returning to the workforce, and more litigation.

    Utilization review, I’ve been told, costs nearly as much as the treatment denied. It’s necessary, but not exactly a “Medical Benefit” in most cases.



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