Managing workers' compensation costs in the military setting: the Army's story

Direct and indirect costs for the Army's workers' compensation payments have increased to more than 2 billion US dollars. Increasing attention is putting the spotlight on the problems at all levels, and a promising cooperative approach to injury prevention and case management is emerging. This article addresses the system within which the Army's workers' compensation program operates, provides some organizational history, gives an update on current status,and describes what is needed for sustained improvement. The onus is on the Army to develop and implement strategies that use available data to target high-risk occupations and employees to prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Front-line managers bear the responsibility for educating the workforce and providing safe workplaces. Employees become the beneficiaries, not of medical and compensation benefits but of safe and healthy work environments.