Workers’ Compensation Market Improved, Grew Premium in 2015: NCCI

The workers’ compensation market is healthy and profitable. This year’s “State of the Line” report, published by the National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI), indicates that the workers’ compensation calendar year 2015 combined ratio for private carriers was 94 percent. That is a six-point improvement over the 2014 combined ratio of 100 percent.

Total market net written premium for workers’ compensation increased by almost 3 percent to $45.5 billion for the states NCCI serves, driven by an increase in payroll.

NCCI President and CEO William E. Donnell said that in addition to the positive financial results in workers’ comp, the segment is also seeing transformational changes. “New monitoring technology, expanded automation, and innovation in how employees work are key indicators. The regulatory environment is transforming with new participants and shifting agendas. In addition, the frequency and potential severity of system challenges are creating levels of uncertainty as we move forward this year,” he said.

“Overall, 2015 was another positive year for the workers’ compensation industry,” said NCCI Chief Actuary Kathy Antonello. “The combined ratio improved, claim frequency continued to decline, and operating results were strong,” she said. But Antonello cautioned that other trends could put pressure on the workers’ compensation system. “For example, even though overall medical severity has lessened in recent years, prescription drug costs have continued to increase. Unchecked, this alone may contribute to an increase in future medical costs.”

The improving workers’ compensation calendar year combined ratio for private carriers was driven primarily by a decrease in the loss ratio, said the NCCI. On an accident year basis, the industry-reported 2015 workers’ compensation combined ratio was 98 percent.

Other market indicators and trends highlighted in NCCI’s report include:

• The overall reserve position for private carriers improved in 2015. NCCI estimates the year-end 2015 reserve position to be a $7 billion deficiency–down from $10 billion in 2014. Estimated reserve redundancy in Accident Year 2015 accounts for much of this reduction.
• Average lost-time claim frequency across NCCI states declined by 3 percent in 2015.
• In NCCI states, the preliminary 2015 accident year average indemnity cost per lost-time claim increased by 1 percent relative to the corresponding 2014 value. For medical, the preliminary average cost per lost-time claim decreased by 1 percent relative to that observed in 2014.
• The workers’ compensation residual market pool premium volume remained flat between 2014 and 2015, and the average residual market share remained stable at 8 percent. The latest NCCI data shows that total residual market premium declined in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the first quarter of 2015.

Even so, the workers’ compensation industry faces challenges, according to the NCCI.

Those include:

• While the change in overall medical severity has lessened in recent years, prescription drug costs per active claim continued to increase.
• The extended low-interest-rate environment threatens investment results over the long term.
• Ongoing challenges to the industry’s renowned “Grand Bargain” could impact future benefit levels and put upward pressure on loss costs.