603 vaccine reaction comp claims reported in Texas

Texas insurers reported 603 COVID-19 vaccine adverse reaction claims since the vaccine became available in December 2020, according to a data report released Wednesday by the state Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Overall, from Jan. 1, 2020, through Nov. 7, insurers reported a total of 61,331 COVID-19 illness claims, with 45% of them coming from first responders and correctional officers and 20% from health care and social services workers.

As of Nov. 7, insurers reported 371 COVID-19 fatal claims, according to the report.  

For all claims reported to insurers as of Sept. 30, 60% of COVID-19 claims involved an injured employee who tested positive or was diagnosed with COVID-19. Among these positive test claims, 50% were accepted as work-related by insurers and 47% were denied by the insurers with 3% still under investigation.

Of the accepted claims, 67% had no medical or indemnity benefit payments. Among those with the medical or indemnity benefits payments, 15% were paid with both medical and indemnity benefits, 20% had only medical benefits, 64% had only indemnity benefits. As of Nov. 12, a total of $76.1 million has been paid as indemnity or medical benefits for COVID-19 claims reported to insurers as of Sept. 30.