A new article published in Spine examined how the universal no-fault compensation model affected return-to-work among lumbar spinal fusion patients.
The researchers examined 428 patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion with 178 patients covered by the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation, a no-fault system offering early treatment and salary reimbursement. The researchers found:
1. Return-to-work among ACC patients at the time of injury was 81 percent.
2. A systematic review of 21 studies showed the return-to-work for workers compensation patients was 40 percent and return to work for non-workers compensation patients was 74 percent.
3. There wasn't any difference in return-to-work rate between the ACC patients and non-workers compensation patients.
4. The researchers concluded, "The return-to-work rates for a universal no-fault compensation system are higher than those under WC cover, and are compatible with non-WC cases. This suggests that the features of WC may contribute to the inferior return-to-work rates."