6. Long COVID present in 6% of comp claims: Study
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While many of the effects of long COVID remain a medical mystery, data from the workers compensation industry provided some clarity on how the condition, deemed a disability by the federal government, will affect claims activity.
In a study released in August the Workers Compensation Research Institute found that 6% of workers with comp claims for COVID-19 developed long COVID.
At an average of 18 months of post-infection experience, these workers received more than 20 weeks of temporary disability benefits and an average of $29,000 in medical care, 10 times that which was spent on workers who were not treated for long-term health issues.
The story detailing the findings was the sixth-most-read workers compensation-related story on the Business Insurance website in 2023.
Other reports on the effect of the pandemic on the comp sector also drew attention.
In California, researchers for the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California reported in June that 13% of California workers compensation claims for COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 included medical treatment for long COVID.
That report also showed that the risks of long COVID are higher in female workers, workers over 50 years of age and workers who have comorbidities, and that comp claims that involve treatment for long COVID symptoms are four times more likely to result in permanent disability benefits.
On the medical front, researchers said they may have found some biomarkers for long COVID.
Experts in June narrowed long COVID down to several specific symptoms, although they maintained that the disease is anything but clear and remains difficult to treat.
