Indemnity and Medical Costs on the Rise

Average medical costs per claim are increasing in Iowa but continue to mirror the costs across the region, while indemnity costs jumped sharply in 2013, the National Council on Compensation Insurance reported. NCCI held its annual state advisory forum in Iowa Thursday and reported medical costs now comprise 57% of all costs in the Iowa workers' compensation system. Medical severity increased from $10,700 per claim in 1999 to $32,100 in 2013, although the Boca Raton, Florida-based ratemaker noted that increases in medical costs remained less severe than long-term increases. The indem...