Last Updated on July 24, 2023 by Hamza Khan
The worker’s compensation insurance market is a very competitive field. That is why it is essential to conduct your research. You can use many different methods to evaluate a particular company’s policies and practices. In this article, you’ll learn about some ways to consider. These include Alternative medicine, acupuncture, and Integrating primary health care with specialty and hospital services just like medical care under workers compensation Oregon.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a natural method to treat work-related injuries. It works by inserting tiny metal needles into key body points, which help the body heal naturally. In addition to easing pain, it can relieve muscle spasms and increase flexibility.
Many states allow acupuncture as a part of workers’ compensation medical care. For instance, Washington State’s Department of Labor & Industries began piloting acupuncture as an alternative treatment for lower back pain in 1996. The state’s trial agency has received more than 200 applications from acupuncturists.
However, acupuncture is only considered adequate if it is combined with other therapies. Some health professionals may recommend acupuncture, but a doctor’s referral is the only way to know if it will benefit you.
Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage allows injured employees to receive acupuncture, but only after a doctor’s referral. Acupuncture is a safe, natural, and effective treatment for many workplace injuries. As such, more states are adding it to their workers’ comp programs.
Alternative forms of medicine
Depending on your situation, you may or may not be aware of several woozier medical insurance options. A trip to the local clinic is the best bet for the brave at heart. This is because workers’ compensation is a government-sanctioned program that is likely to avoid eschewing a doc. In other words, if you’re looking to get back on your feet, you’re looking at a big bill. If that is something different than your cup of tea, consider hiring a consultant to help navigate the minefield. There are many more to choose from, so do your homework! Make sure you know what you’re getting into before you sign on the dotted line. Getting the right amount of coverage can mean the difference between a comfortable work week and an early retirement.
Integrating primary health care with specialty and hospital services
As hospitals and physicians strive to provide better patient care, economic integration is one of the major components. Economic integration entails providing monetary payments to physicians. It can include leases, professional service agreements, performance bonds, and gain-sharing.
Hospitals and physicians view each other as desirable partners for economic integration. They hope to compete more effectively and increase their incomes. However, some problems arise. For example, doctors often prefer to be free agents rather than work under a hospital’s control.
While economic integration is a significant component of clinical integration, the two are separate. Studies of the relationship between these two aspects of integration are limited.
The Lewin-ICF study examined pairs of hospitals viewed as making money and losing money. When hospitals and physicians were vertically aligned, they collectively negotiated prices with medical management organizations (MCOs). This may result in antitrust violations.
In contrast, studies have found that full integration can improve patient outcomes and reduce the use of resources. Full integration also reduces duplication of services and increases transparency.
Impact of medical care on indirect outcomes
The impact of workers’ compensation medical care on indirect outcomes is an important area of concern. These outcomes include the worker’s earning capacity, mental health, social and physical functionality, and the likelihood of re-injury. Several studies have shown that poorer outcomes lead to a weaker economy. Workers’ compensation medical care is one of the fastest-growing health expenditures.
There is a broad range of initiatives being developed to address this issue. Some involve the private sector, and some aim to integrate primary care with specialty and hospital services. Other proposals focus on improvements in communications and education for injured workers. A few suggest better contact with insurance carriers.
The Workers’ Compensation Health Initiative (WCHI) is a program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that supports demonstration and evaluation projects. This initiative seeks to develop and test new models to improve the quality of workers’ compensation medical care. It also evaluates the impact of recent changes in health plan design.
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