OBJECTIVES : Use objective data to compare back pain (BACK) patients’ all-cause utilization of short- and long-term disability (STD,LTD, respectively) and workers' compensation (WC), and explore changes over time.

METHODS : Retrospective analysis using the WorkPartners Research Reference Database(RRDb) from 2001—2019. For each year, employees with medical-claims for BACK were identified. For each benefit the analysis focused on the %-of-eligible employees utilizing each benefit, leave-length (days) and the median payments as a %-of-salary (MedianPay). Years were compared to baseline (2001). Disability+WC payments included lump sum distributions and potentially extended beyond the year initially incurred. Workplace accidents were paid under the WC-benefit. WC-claims without absence from work (medical-only) were excluded. Claims were based on the year-initiated. Because sick leave (SL) may be taken for any reason, leaves and payments under the SL benefit were excluded. Average days and median percent-of-salary paid for each benefit were calculated and compared.

RESULTS : At baseline 10% of employees had back pain medical-claims; of these, 13.6% filed STD claims, 0.6% filed LTD claims, and 2.2% filed WC claims. STD-claims were 39.6 days (mean) and paid 71% of salary (median); LTD-claims were 179.3 mean-days and paid 27% of salary; and WC-claims were 71.0 mean-days and paid 70% of salary. From 2002—2019,10.3%—15.3% of eligibles filed STD-claims that varied from 84.1%—126.1% of baseline days (BDs) and 76.5%—125.6% of MedianPay. From 2002—2019: 0.6%—1.3% filed LTD-claims that varied 62.6%—430.5% of BDs and 93.8%—225.1% of MedianPay. From 2002—2019, 0.8%—2.6% filed WC claims that varied from 109.7%—260.0% of BDs and 90.0%—190.4% of MedianPay. MedianPay was highest in 2013(STD),2002(LTD),and 2005(WC). Claims lengths were longest in 2016(STD), and 2008 (LTD and WC).

CONCLUSIONS : Employees with back pain used different absence benefits over time with varying leave lengths and median payments as a % of salary. Using a constant cost over time for all benefits is not accurate or appropriate.