Medical share of N.Y. comp costs drops to 37%: Rating board

The medical share of total workers compensation benefit costs in New York dropped to 37% in 2015 and 2016 from a high of 42% in 2007, while the national average is 51.4%, according to a report released Wednesday by the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board.

The report examines workers compensation medical payments in New York from 2007 to 2017 using the New York rating board’s workers compensation medical data call.

Orthopedic surgeons accounted for about 9% to 10% of medical payments made for New York State workers comp claims, while physical medicine, rehabilitation providers and physical therapists combined accounted for 10% to 11% of medical payment costs, according to the report.

Most drugs used by workers comp claimants are not considered controlled substances, but almost 30% of workers comp drug costs in New York are attributed to Schedule II drugs that have a high potential for abuse, according to the report.

Overall, the share of Schedule II drug costs has decreased in recent years from as high as 36% in 2010 and 2011, the report said.