A new study of workers’ compensation systems in 25 states finds the prices of non-hospital medical services in Wisconsin were both the highest and fastest-growing of the sample states, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute.
Wisconsin’s medical prices grew by 42% over the nine years covered by the study, compared to median growth rates of 11% for the 19 states with fee schedules and 28% for the six states (including Wisconsin) without fee schedules. Wisconsin’s prices were double the 25-state median and nearly 50% higher than the median of non-fee schedule states.
The WCRI’s medical price index tracks prices paid by workers’ comp plans for physician-, therapist- and chiropractor-billed services like radiology, neurological testing, pain management, surgery, evaluation and emergency care.
