REG: Access to Healthcare Improves in Texas Comp System
A new study by the Research and Evaluation Group at the Texas Department of Insurance measured the effectiveness of the Texas workers’ compensation system to deliver timely and appropriate medical care to injured employees. The Division of Workers’ Compensation announced the findings this month. It found that injured workers who aren’t treated within seven days have an average of about 40 percent more in medical costs over the first six months of an injury. In 2015, about half of injured workers saw a physician in one day or less.
Injured workers in Texas have better access to physicians who can treat them more quickly than they did 15 years ago, according to a September 2016 study by the Texas Department of Insurance’s Research and Evaluation Group (REG). The study found 84 percent of injured workers received initial care in seven days or less in 2015, compared to 76 percent in 2000.
“That’s significant because improved timeliness means workers have a much better chance of getting back to work, and the cost for their care will be much lower,” said Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Ryan Brannan.
The full study can be found on the DWC website.
Per Chapter 405 of the Texas Labor Code, the Workers’ Compensation Research and Evaluation Group (REG) at the Texas Department of Insurance is responsible for conducting professional studies and research on various system issues, including: the delivery of benefits; litigation and controversy related to workers’ compensation; insurance rates and rate-making procedures; rehabilitation and reemployment of injured employees; the quality and cost of medical benefits; employer participation in the workers’ compensation system; employment health and safety issues; and other matters relevant to the cost, quality, and operational effectiveness of the workers’ compensation system.
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