The Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) met on June 8 to continue its work developing proposals to modify Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation system.
The WCAC, which includes representatives of management and organized labor, heard from Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) analysts who highlighted important aspects of Wisconsin’s strong system. WCRI said their research, which was based on surveys of injured workers, indicates that Wisconsin workers are more satisfied with their medical care and report fewer problems getting a desired medical provider than injured workers in any other WCRI study state. WCRI also presented data showing Wisconsin workers return to work faster than in any other study state.
In addition to worker outcomes, WCRI presented information related to medical utilization. WCRI research indicates that utilization per claim is lower in Wisconsin compared with other states and notes a shift in services to hospital outpatient providers, recognizing Wisconsin’s integrated health care system. A copy of WCRI’s presentation is available
here.
“We’re very pleased Wisconsin’s injured workers are highly satisfied with their medical care and health care providers help them get back to work quickly. That’s a huge positive for Wisconsin given the severe labor shortages employers are dealing with and, of course, it’s also good for workers, their families and communities,” said WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding. “We should not take these exceptional outcomes for granted, and coupled with the sixth straight year of workers comp premium reductions for employers, we should be trumpeting as a real asset the strength and value of Wisconsin’s workers comp system, instead of cherry-picking data and spinning it as a problem, as some continue to do. That’s unfortunate and counterproductive.”
If the WCAC reaches agreement, it will present its recommendations, traditionally called the “agreed upon bill,” to the Legislature for consideration. A WCAC agreed-upon bill has not been enacted since March 2016.