Researchers at the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute have found that managed care network workers’ compensation claims have lower costs when compared to non network claims, they told the conference here today.
The study of nearly 300,000 claims, involving a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathy as the first non-emergency provider, found network costs were lower by anywhere from 6 percent to 46 percent. The higher percentage occurred in claims of more than 30 days. In addition, the study found that network claims have lower indemnity costs compared with non network claims.
A key factor mentioned by Sharon E. Fox, a WCRI consultant, was the initial visit for a claimant, whether or not it was with a network provider. According to WCRI’s findings, an initial visit with a network provider meant "higher overall network care and lower costs."
