@article{ref1,
title="Step-downs reduce workers' compensation payments to encourage return to work: are they effective?",
journal="Occupational and environmental medicine",
year="2020",
author="Lane, Tyler J. and Sheehan, Luke and Gray, Shannon E. and Beck, Dianne and Collie, Alex",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To determine whether step-downs, which cut the rate of compensation paid to injured workers after they have been on benefits for several months, are effective as a return to work incentive. <br><br>METHODS: We aggregated administrative claims data from seven Australian workers' compensation systems to calculate weekly scheme exit rates, a proxy for return to work. Jurisdictions were further subdivided into four injury subgroups: fractures, musculoskeletal, mental health and other trauma. The effect of step-downs on scheme exit was tested using a regression discontinuity design. <br><br>RESULTS were pooled into meta-analyses to calculate combined effects and the proportion of variance attributable to heterogeneity. <br><br>RESULTS: The combined effect of step-downs was a 0.86 percentage point (95% CI -1.45 to -0.27) reduction in the exit rate, with significant heterogeneity between jurisdictions (<i>I</i><sup>2</sup>=68%, p=0.003). Neither timing nor magnitude of step-downs was a significant moderator of effects. Within injury subgroups, only fractures had a significant combined effect (-0.84, 95% CI -1.61 to -0.07). Sensitivity analysis indicated potential effects within mental health and musculoskeletal conditions as well. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest some workers' compensation recipients anticipate step-downs and exit the system early to avoid the reduction in income. However, the effects were small and suggest step-downs have marginal practical significance. We conclude that step-downs are generally ineffective as a return to work policy initiative.Postprint link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/19012286.<br><br>© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1351-0711",
doi="10.1136/oemed-2019-106325",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2019-106325"
}