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Medical provider networks tied to lower comp costs, faster care: WCRI - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Medical provider networks tied to lower comp costs, faster care: WCRI by Louise Esola Workers Comp Coverage Mar 31, 2026 Medical provider networks in workers compensation are associated with significantly lower claim costs, faster access to care and shorter disability durations, according to a report released Tuesday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The study found that claims treated within networks had 26% lower total costs — about $11,800 less per claim — compared with out-of-network claims at 36 months of maturity. Medical payments alone were 27% lower, or roughly $3,500 per claim, at 12 months. Researchers also found that injured workers receiving in-network care accessed treatment more quickly. Time to the first office visit was reduced by about 20%, or nearly three days, compared with out-of-network care. The report attributes improved outcomes in part to differences in treatment patterns. Network care was linked to greater use of conservative services such as physical therapy and diagnostic imaging, and less reliance on invasive procedures including surgery and pain management injections. These differences appear to translate into improved disability outcomes. Temporary disability duration was about 1.5 weeks shorter for in-network claims, contributing to a 23% reduction in indemnity benefits. Litigation was also less frequent and less costly in network claims. The likelihood of claims involving litigation expenses was reduced by 12%, while average litigation costs were 39% lower. The analysis, based on data from 34 states and claims with more than seven days of lost time, used a matching methodology to compare similar in-network and out-of-network claims. Network effects varied by geography and policy environment. Savings and access improvements were generally stronger in urban areas than rural ones, and more pronounced in states with higher fee schedules or without fee schedules. The study also found that managed care rules — such as requirements for timely access to care, specialty coverage and treatment guidelines — enhanced the effectiveness of networks in improving access and utilization. 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