OBJECTIVES : Use objective data to compare all-cause utilization, leaves and payments to employees for short- and long-term disability (STD and LTD, respectively) and workers' compensation (WC).

METHODS : Retrospective analysis of WorkPartners Research Reference Database (RRDb) from 2001—2019. For each year, employee medical-claims were assigned to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality categories. The 20 most prevalent disease categories in 2019 were identified. For each year & condition, employees with medical-claims were identified, each benefit analyzed for %-of-eligible employees utilizing the benefit, leave-length (days) and payments as a %-of-salary (MedianPay). Annual data were compared to baseline(2001). Payments included lump-sum distributions and potentially extended beyond the year initiated. Workplace accidents were paid under the WC-benefit. WC-claims without absence (medical-only) were excluded. Leaves and payments under the sick leave benefit may be taken for any reason and were excluded. For each benefit, average leave-length and MedianPay were calculated and compared with baseline (2001).

RESULTS : Top 2019 conditions included: Circulatory System, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases (not diabetes), Respiratory Conditions, Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue, Skin Diseases, Back Pain, Bone Diseases, Diabetes, Mental Disorders, Nervous System and Sense Organs, Gastrointestinal, and Headache/Migraine. In 2001: MedianPay was 71%, 22% and 68% for STD, LTD, and WC, respectively, and baseline days averaged 37.1, 166.3 and 48.3 for STD, LTD, and WC, respectively. From 2001—2019, eligible employees annually filing claims were: STD 6.3%—9.3%(mean=7.8%),LTD 0.3%—0.5%(mean=0.4%) and WC 0.5%—1.4%(mean=0.8%). MedianPay was 49.0%—89.5% for STD, 26.4%—59.8% for LTD, and 61.0%—98.4% for WC. Claims length peaked between 2005 and 2009 for LTD then trended lower, peaked in 2010 for WC then began decreasing, and have been increasing since 2012 for STD.

CONCLUSIONS : Absence benefit utilization, duration of leaves, and payments vary by benefit and over time for STD, LTD and WC. Cost needs to be calculated for each condition, year and benefit at the employee level.