The Workers’ Compensation Policy Institute in New York said it concluded after reviewing several reports on workers compensation from around the country that New York’s system is expensive, but it doesn’t help employees return to work faster than in other states.
“Sadly for New York State, the image is clear. New York is a very expensive jurisdiction for employers to finance their workers’ compensation risk – even though these high costs do not produce strong results for injured employees,” the group said in a statement.
This is how New York fares in the reports:
—In the 2012 Oregon Workers’ Compensation Premium Ranking Study, published by that state, New York has the fifth highest costs in the nation, up from 13th highest in 2010, 19th highest in 2008 and 10th highest in 2006.
—The Workers’ Compensation Benefits Coverage and Costs report, published in 2011 by the National Academy of Social Insurance, shows that a significantly higher percentage of dollars in New York’s system go to expenses rather than benefits.
—In its Longer-Term Use of Opioids report, the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute found that New York and Louisiana have the highest percentage of long-term narcotic use among injured workers. New York had the greatest increase in the percentage of long-term users identified by the study.
—In State Report Cards for Workers’ Compensation 2012, the Work Loss Data Institute said New York consistently received a grade of “F” in its ability to return injured workers to employment. The group sees little hope of improvement based on trends in New York.
In its own report—Workers’ Compensation Assessments 2012 —the Workers’ Compensation Policy Institute found that New York has the highest assessment, or tax, on premiums paid by employers to fund the workers’ compensation system of 32 states. New York’s assessments are nearly five times the national average, the report said.
