Workers Comp

PTSD comp claims data still limited: Report

Louise Esola

June 21, 2021 Reprints

Workers Comp Coverage Workplace Safety Claims Disputes Claims Management More + Less -

As state lawmakers in recent years pushed to create post-traumatic stress disorder presumptions for workers compensation compensability of such mental injuries, data continues to be scarce on how much the changes cost payers, according to a new report by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.

The report, released Thursday, examines the ongoing trend and states that data is “limited due to both the relative scarcity of PTSD claim data in general, and limited data reporting for first responder employer groups,” which are among the types of workers now eligible for post-traumatic stress disorder benefits under comp schemes in several states.

The workers comp industry in recent years has expressed complications in estimating costs related to the expansion of the compensability mental health claims.

“To gauge the impact of PTSD claims by occupational group and on overall costs, one needs to estimate the number and average cost of such claims,” the report states, adding that NCCI is deploying other methods to examine possible impacts.

“Recognizing the scarcity of (workers comp)-specific PTSD claims data, a projection of the potential impact that PTSD claims may have on (workers comp) costs may result from analyzing available literature and incorporating key considerations,” the report states. “These considerations include the extrapolation of prevalence rates to estimate annual WC claim frequency and the applicability of historical studies to the current situation, given the locations, time periods, and methodologies underlying such studies.”