Day 1: Forget the Pear Tree — We’re Building a Foundation

On the first day of Work Comp, my true love gave to me… a solid foundation of care!  Workers’ comp may not be as exciting as a partridge in a pear tree, but it’s the safety net that keeps employees supported when life throws a curveball.

And let’s be real — 2025 has served up plenty of curveballs. According to the CompScope™ Medical Benchmarks by WCRI, medical payments per claim are climbing across multiple states, thanks to inflation in hospital and physician services and shifting utilization trends. Add in the latest CMS reimbursement changes, and costs are hitting states differently depending on how their fee schedules line up with Medicare. Translation: the ground beneath us is moving.

Even with all this shaking, workers’ comp is still one of the most profitable lines of commercial insurance. Insurance Business Magazine’s 2025 Market Outlook points out that while premiums are rising, claim frequency continues to decline — keeping the system relatively resilient.

But here’s the kicker: numbers don’t manage claims, people do. And this is where case managers prove they’re the real MVPs of the foundation team.

Why Case Managers Matter (Especially Now)

• Navigating uneven rates: With medical severity pushing costs higher, case managers help ensure care is appropriate, timely, and cost-conscious.
• Leveraging telehealth: Virtual care is expanding, but someone must coordinate it — case managers keep access smooth and delays minimal.
• Adapting to regulatory shifts: State-level changes can be challenging to navigate; case managers translate policy into action for injured workers.
• Human balance: Insurance may be resilient, but recovery is personal. Case managers bridge the gap between spreadsheets and people.

Workers’ comp isn’t just insurance — it’s basically a social contract. It promises care and wage replacement for injured employees, while protecting employers from liability. In 2025, that promise has been seriously tested by inflation and evolving workforce risks. Case managers are the steady hands keeping the foundation strong, ensuring that behind every claim is a worker who feels seen, supported, and guided.

As we move through the 12 Days of Work Comp, let’s remember: the foundation of care isn’t just about numbers. It is truly about the people who make recovery possible.

Of course, we started with case management — did you expect anything less? 😉 Check back tomorrow to read how other team players support injured workers even more.

From partridges to case managers… it’s all part of the #12DaysOfWorkComp.

#WorkersComp #CaseManagement #EmployeeCare #InsuranceTrends