MedRisk announces the release of its 2018 Industry Trends Report on Physical Medicine and Workers’ Comp.

While workers’ compensation claims frequency and occupational injury rates have declined over the past few years, the number of claims involving physical and/or occupational therapy rose by 13%, according to the report. Several factors contributed to the increased use of physical medicine, including the opioid crisis and groundbreaking new research.

“Mounting evidence shows a PT-first approach improves outcomes, reduces downstream costs, and provides an effective alternative to opioids,” says Mary O’Donoghue, MedRisk’s chief clinical and product officer, in a media release.

“Research also shows the efficacy of conservative care—including physical therapy—instead of surgery,” she adds.

MedRisk’s own data supports this trend. The King of Prussia, Pa-based company, which manages more than 500,000 cases a year, saw 34% fewer postsurgical cases for low back pain between 2013 and 2017.

The report examines the impact of numerous other trends, such as telerehabilitation and patient-centric care. It also analyzes key legislative and regulatory changes for physical therapy in workers’ compensation and predicts their impact for 2019.

The report delves into Ohio’s recent requirement that workers receive 60 days of conservative care, including physical medicine, before it will authorize lumbar fusion surgery. Since Ohio implemented the ruling in January 2018, MedRisk saw an increase in non-surgical physical therapy referrals along with a decrease in post-surgical referrals in the state, the release continues.

MedRisk’s 2018 Trend Report also highlights ground-breaking research in physical medicine, including a study that showed that a physical therapy consult can reduce opioid use, one that pointed to successful outcomes for nonsurgical treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, and another that found immediate (within 3 days) physical therapy treatment for acute low back pain may lead to lower health care utilization and related costs.

MedRisk’s International Scientific Advisory Board continues to review research to create and update MedRisk’s proprietary, evidence-based guidelines. This year, ISAB produced the first vestibular therapy guidelines for treating injured workers with ongoing post-concussion symptoms, per the release.

For more inf0rmation, visit MedRisk.

[Source(s): MedRisk, Business Wire]