Injectable therapies play a key role in workers’ compensation care, yet information on their use and costs has been limited – until now. This new study addresses that gap by examining utilization, costs, key cost drivers, and recent trends across 28 states through early 2024.
Roughly four in 10 lost-time workers compensation claims involved at least one injectable drug or procedure within 24 months of injury, and costs for self-administered drugs, such as those use for weight loss, doubled in six years, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute.
The report examines injectable therapies across 28 states representing more than 75 percent of workers’ compensation benefits nationwide, including both clinician-administered procedures – such as epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks and joint injections – and self-administered injectable medications. Waltham, Massachusetts-based WCRI found that injectable therapies represent a significant and growing share of medical spending in workers compensation claims.
The report classifies distinct subgroups of injectable therapies by medication type and injection procedure, identifies those most commonly used in workers’ compensation, and highlights early signs of growth in emerging biologic and regenerative treatments. Establishing this baseline provides a foundation for tracking evolving patterns and understanding their implications for medical costs and care provided to injured workers.
Questions Answered:
– – What are the most common injectable drugs and injection procedures used for treating workplace injuries?
– – How has the utilization of specific injectable therapies (e.g., GLP-1s, hyaluronic acid injections, migraine medications, or PRP) evolved over time?
– – How do utilization patterns of injectable therapies vary across states?
– – What are the costs associated with injectable drugs and injection procedures in workers’ compensation?
These findings are particularly valuable for policymakers and stakeholders because injectable therapies are often clinically complex, invasive, and costly. Understanding their use has important implications for treatment pathways, appropriate care, and overall patient safety and recovery. The relatively high cost of some injectables also underscores the need for oversight aimed at managing medical costs.