Treatment standards for work-related injuries

Medical costs associated with treating work-related injuries have been steadily increasing, even faster than traditional medical care. Recent legislative investigation identified several injuries where medical costs were more than two times higher when the condition was work-related vs. non-work-related. In response, the 1992 Minnesota Legislature passed a broad-based Workers' Compensation reform package. One component of this legislative initiative was authorizing emergency rule-making power to develop treatment standards for several conditions which account for significant amounts of health care dollars. The treatment standard for low back pain and upper extremity disorders are described.