A recent study has revealed that Long COVID is having a significant impact on California’s workers’ compensation system. According to the California Workers’ Compensation Institute, Long COVID cases accounted for a staggering 82.1% of treatment payments related to COVID claims and 73.7% of all COVID-19 claim payments in the state.
The study analyzed over 126,000 COVID-19 claims from workers’ compensation between 2020 and 2022. It found that one in every 21 claims involved medical treatment that lasted beyond 90 days from the injury date. While the number of new COVID claims has decreased, concerns are growing about a potential surge in cases, especially after the CDC introduced new guidelines that could complicate access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Most COVID claims in the study were relatively low-cost, with only 14.6% requiring any medical treatment. However, 4.7% of the claims were classified as Long COVID, which involves long-lasting health issues that can prevent individuals from returning to work. These Long COVID claims have resulted in significant financial burdens, with medical payments totaling $128.4 million. Of this, Long COVID claims alone accounted for $105.5 million. When considering all costs, including medical treatment and indemnity payments, the total reached $350.6 million, with Long COVID claims consuming $258.3 million.
The financial impact is stark. On average, medical payments for Long COVID cases were 105 times higher than those for shorter COVID claims. Indemnity payments were 37 times higher on average.
The study also highlighted the most common health issues associated with Long COVID. The top diagnostic categories included respiratory problems (17.8%), circulatory issues (9.0%), and nervous system disorders (8.7%). Mental health conditions and digestive issues were also among the concerns.
For those interested in the details of the study, the CWCI provides access to the report on their website. The findings emphasize the ongoing challenges posed by Long COVID and its implications for workers and the healthcare system in California.