Work Comp Copes with Comorbidity, but SSDI Is Overwhelmed

The Social Security Disability Insurance program is growing at an unsustainable pace, thanks largely to a federal policy allowing applicants to qualify based on multiple health conditions, or comorbidities, according to testimony presented last week to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. State workers' compensation systems are grappling with an increasing share of claims with comorbidity issues as well, but the pressure on costs is more indirect because of rating guidelines that are designed to confine impairment levels to the degree caused by the workplace injury or occupational disease, ...