OBJECTIVES : Use objective data to compare the prevalence of Headaches/Migraines (HA/MIG), the HA/MIG patients’ all-cause utilization of short-and-long-term disability(STD-and-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, subjects with medical-claims for HA/MIG were identified based on claim-start-date. For each absence-benefit the analysis-focused on the prevalence of HA/MIG and the percent of eligible HA/MIG-employees utilizing the benefit, leave-length (days) and the payments as a %-of-salary (MedianPay). Years were compared to the 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. Because sick-leave (SL) may be taken for any reason, leaves-and-payments under the SL-benefit were excluded. For each benefit, average leave-length and MedianPay were calculated and compared with baseline.

RESULTS : The prevalence of HA/MIG averaged 3.6%. At baseline: 13% filed STD claims, 0.4% filed LTD claims, and 1.5% filed WC claims. STD claims were 39.1 mean-days and paid 70.5% of salary (median); LTD claims were 168.2 mean-days and paid 27.5% of salary; and WC claims were 71.1 mean-days and paid 67.2% of salary. From 2002—2019, 10.1%—16.3% of eligibles filed STD claims that lasted from 80.4%—122.4% of baseline days (BDs) and 71.4%—127.6% of MedianPay. From 2002—2019, 0.7%—1.7% filed LTD claims that lasted 64.3%—637.4% of BDs and 75.6%—217.6% of MedianPay. From 2002—2019, 0.7%—1.8% filed WC-claims that lasted from 83.9%—279.6% of BDs and 74.2%—2017.1% of MedianPay. MedianPay was highest in 2013 for STD, 2002 for LTD, and 2005 for WC. Claims lengths were longest in 2016 for STD, 2005 for LTD, and 2015 for WC.

CONCLUSIONS : Employees with Headaches and Migraines used different absence benefits over time with varying durations and payments. Using a constant cost over time for all benefits is not accurate or appropriate.