White Paper

Long COVID in Workers Compensation: A First Look

This study takes a first look at long COVID (i.e., PASC) experience in workers compensation (WC).
By:

White Paper Summary

As of July 2022, the United States has nearly 50 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections, with more than 1 million deaths. There are several published studies that have reported varying percentages of COVID-19 infected individuals who subsequently endured persistent, debilitating symptoms for weeks and months after initial infection. This is regardless of the severity of illness originally experienced, whether mild or severe. Many have referred to this medical condition with prolonged symptoms as “long COVID,” “long-haul COVID,” “chronic COVID,” and “post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2
infection (PASC).” This study takes a first look at long COVID (i.e., PASC) experience in workers compensation (WC).

KEY FINDINGS

  • The percentage of COVID claims with long COVID in WC was 24%
  • Twenty percent (20%) of nonhospitalized and 47% of hospitalized COVID-19 WC patients developed long COVID
  • Hospitalized patients who developed long COVID took longer for such symptoms to resolve compared to patients who
    were not admitted to the hospital
  • The most common symptoms seen in long COVID patients were of a pulmonary or cardiovascular nature
  • Hospitalized patients sought more physical medical services in the 30- to 270-day PASC window than nonhospitalized
    patients
  • Home health care services performed in the 30- to 270-day PASC window were among the top three medical services
    provided for patients who had been hospitalized
  • Prescriptions for pulmonary inhalers dominated both the hospitalized and nonhospitalized cohorts
  • The average temporary disability indemnity benefit duration for long COVID patients was about 160 days for
    hospitalized patients and 95 days for nonhospitalized patients

To learn more about Paradigm, please visit their website.

Paradigm is an accountable specialty care management organization focused on improving the lives of people with complex and catastrophic injuries and diagnoses. The company has been a pioneer in value-based care since 1991 and has an exceptional track record of generating the very best outcomes for patients, payers, and providers. Deep clinical expertise is the foundation for every part of Paradigm’s business, including its risk-based clinical solutions, case management services, high-value specialty networks, home health, and payment integrity programs. Paradigm is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, with offices across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.paradigmcorp.com.

More from Risk & Insurance

More from Risk & Insurance