NCCI: Obesity increases indemnity benefit durations by more than 5 times

A new report provides further evidence of the dramatic impact of obesity on workers' comp costs.

The latest research used matched pairs of obese and comparable non-obese claims. It suggests indemnity benefit duration of claimants with an obesity related comorbidity indicator "is a multiple of what is observed for comparable non-obese claimants."

Based on temporary total and permanent total indemnity benefit payments, the duration of obese claimants was more than five times the duration of non-obese claimants, the researchers said. When permanent partial benefits were added in, the duration was more than six times.

County's wellness program falls under ADA safe harbor provision (06/16/11)
Study: Poor health associated with extensive business travel (06/06/11)
Risks drive chronic conditions, increase costs (03/11/13)
Employers increasingly getting into the wellness game (03/11/13)
Recurring concussions may lead to Alzheimer's, other brain impairments (10/25/12)

NCCI used a large data set of workers' comp claims provided by insurance companies for claims from 40 states, and injury years 1998-2008. Exact matching of claims pairs applied to all claim characteristics except age at injury, where proximity matching is employed. Other than age, an indicator variable signifying obesity is the only covariate in the model.

The study adds to previous research that suggests obese workers file more workers' comp claims, have increased medical costs, and miss more days due to occupational injuries compared to non-obese workers.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

July 9, 2012

Newsletter Sign-up