California Workers’ Comp Bureau Paid $4.6B Medical, $3.8B Indemnity Losses in 2019

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California has released its report on workers’ comp losses and expenses for 2019.

Findings in the WCIRB report, 2019 California Workers’ Compensation Losses and Expenses, include:

• Medical losses paid in 2019 were $4.6 billion, or 55% of total loss payments. These amounts were comparable to those in 2018.
• Indemnity benefits paid in 2019 were $3.8 billion, or 45% of total loss payments. Of this amount, temporary disability benefits accounted for 50 percent of indemnity payments and permanent partial disability benefits accounted for 39%.
• Total insurer combined losses and expenses incurred in 2019 were $13.2 billion, or 82% of calendar year premium, compared to $13.3 billion (or 77% of calendar year premium) in 2018.

This report is prepared annually pursuant to Section 11759.1 of the California Insurance Code.

Related:

• Study: Sharp Drop in California Workers’ Comp Independent Medical Reviews
• California Workers’ Comp Bureau Lowers Mid-Range Estimate of COVID Costs by $10B
• What to Expect in Workers’ Compensation Costs From COVID-19: NCCI