Controlling workers' compensation medical costs: with workers' compensation costs rising for more than six years, state legislatures are getting involved. Worker's compensation claims must be managed and controlled at the corporate level in order to lower costs.(INSURANCE)

Financial Executive, November, 2007 by Sorenson, Stephanie A.

Most employers have seen their workers' compensation costs continue to rise for more than six years, regardless of whether their programs are fully insured, guaranteed-cost or self-insured. So vexing are the problems that 35 states enacted reforms to their workers' compensation laws in 2006 alone.

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In 2007, as of August, state legislatures had considered 104 pieces of workers' compensation legislation, and 30 had been signed into law. Nonetheless, most U.S. employers continue to see their workers' compensation costs escalate.

There are, however, steps ...