Low Reimbursements, Price Freezes, Cuts Lead to "Perverse Effects," WCRI Says

BOSTON – When it comes to workers’ compensation fee schedules, how low can you go? If state regulators are limbo-ing lower than Medicare or group health reimbursement rates, the Workers Compensation Research Institute suggested Thursday, they might be entering the danger zone with respect to access to care. And cutting or freezing reimbursements in an effort to bring down costs often comes with consequences. In a presentation titled, “Perverse Effects of Low Fee Schedules,” WCRI researcher Rebecca Yang looked at examples in several states of providers adjusting their ...