Utah Government Trust outlines “corridor of care” to speed workers’ compensation recoveries

Jeff Rowley, claims manager for the Utah Government Trust, told Trust members that early reporting, designated medical providers, return-to-work programs and regular contact with injured workers together form a “corridor of care” that improves recovery and lowers costs for employers.

Rowley, who said he has worked in public-entity claims for 32 years and has been the Trust’s claims manager for four years, told attendees that Utah’s workers’ compensation system gets employees into initial care quickly compared with many states and that the state’s insurance premiums are among the lowest in the nation. “From day one, Utah is very good at that,” he said of early access to diagnostics and therapy. “We have a corridor of care that facilitates an employee getting the care they need as soon as possible.”

Rowley framed the topic as a partnership between the Trust and its members and said four measurable practices — early claim reporting, directed medical care, return to work and staying connected with injured employees — are the Trust’s recommended KPIs for better medical outcomes and lower claim costs.

Rowley advised employers to…