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WCIRB Provides Update on COVID-19 Claims and Long COVID

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) has released an updated COVID-19 report, Medical Treatments and Costs of COVID-19 Claims and “Long COVID” in the California Workers’ Compensation System – 2023 Update.

Highlights of the report include:

  • COVID-19 claims for accident years 2020 and 2021 share a similar mix of mild, hospital and death claims.
  • Over a 12-month post-acute care period, approximately 13 percent of COVID-19 claims with medical payments received treatments for long COVID symptoms in the workers’ compensation system.
  • The risks of long COVID are higher among female workers, workers over age 50 as well as those with comorbidities. 
  • Claims involving treatments for long COVID symptoms are four times more likely to receive permanent disability benefits compared to other COVID-19 claims without treatments for long COVID symptoms.

The full report is available in the Research section of the WCIRB website and at the following link:

The previous report is at the following link:

WCIRB Research Forum Webinar

The WCIRB will host a free webinar to discuss the report. Click on the registration link below to sign up.

Medical Characteristics of COVID-19 Claims and “Long COVID” in the California Workers' Compensation System – 2023 Update
Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 10:00 – 11:00 AM PT
Learn how the medical treatment and cost patterns of COVID-19 claims in 2021 compare to those in 2020 and the key cost drivers. WCIRB presenters will also share an update on long COVID, including prevalence, characteristics of workers experiencing long COVID and the impacts on permanent disability in the California workers' compensation system.
Register Now

For those unable to attend the live webinar, a recording will also be posted in the Research section of the WCIRB website following the event.

June 8, 2023