DWC just released its most recent statistics on Covid-19 claims. The data is presented in DWC’s Covid-19 fact sheet titled
COVID-19 in the Texas Workers’ Compensation System, December 2021. The data runs through November 7, 2021.
Insurance carriers reported a total of 61,331 Covid-19 claims to DWC, including 371 fatalities, from January 1, 2020 through November 7, 2021. Almost half of the claims (45%) were from first responders and correctional officers.
Insurance carriers accepted 50% of Covid-19 claims with a positive test. There were 16,673 Covid-19 claims with a positive test denied by carriers, presumably on the grounds that the infection was not shown to be work-related. Of these denied claims, only 134 disputes were filed with DWC challenging the carrier’s denial.
Most of the benefits paid on Covid-19 claims were for indemnity benefits rather than medical benefits. For claims with medical or indemnity benefits payments, 15% were paid with both, 20% had only medical benefits, and 64% had only indemnity benefits. These numbers suggest that many claims were not severe enough to incur medical benefits payments.
However, we’re not out of the woods yet. Jeff Zients, White House COVID coordinator, said in a press briefing on December 17, 2021, “For the unvaccinated, you’re looking at a winter of severe illness and death for yourselves, your families, and the hospitals you may soon overwhelm.”
DWC continues to gather data on the impact of Covid-19 injuries on the Texas workers’ compensation system. In this regard, DWC has extended its data call for certain information related to COVID-19 injuries reported to selected insurance carriers until June 30, 2022.
DWC’s current Covid-19 fact sheet can be viewed
here.
