Journal article
Effects of premium discount on workers' compensation claims in agriculture in Finland
American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.48(2), pp.100-109
08/2005
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20192
PMID: 16032738
Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to measure changes in injury claim rates after a premium discount program was implemented in the Finnish farmers' workers' compensation insurance. We focused on measures that could indicate whether the changes occurred in the true underlying injury rate, or only in claims reporting. Methods: Monthly injury claim rates were constructed at seven disability duration levels from January 1990 to December 2003. We conducted interrupted time series analyses to measure changes in the injury claim rates after the premium discount was implemented on July 1, 1997. Three additional policy change indicators were included in the analyses. Results: The overall injury claim rate decreased 10.2%. Decreases occurred at four severity levels (measured by compensated disability days): 0 days (16.3%), 1-6 days (14.1%), 7-13 days (19.5%), and 14-29 days (8.4%). No changes were observed at higher severity levels. Minor injuries had a seasonal pattern with higher rates in summer months while severe injuries did not have a seasonal pattern. Conclusions: The premium discount decreased the overall claim rate. Decreases were observed in all categories up to 29 disability days. This pattern suggests that under-reporting contributes to the decrease but may not be the only factor. The value of the premium discount is lower than the value of a lost-time claim, so there was no financial reason to under-report lost-time injuries. Under-reporting would be expected to be greatest in the 0 day category, but that was not the case. These observations suggest that in addition to under-reporting, the premium discount may also have some preventive effect. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effects of premium discount on workers' compensation claims in agriculture in Finland
- Creators
- Risto H. Rautiainen - University of IowaJohannes Ledolter - University of IowaNancy L. Sprince - University of IowaKelley J. Donham - University of IowaLeon F. Burmeister - University of IowaRobert Ohsfeldt - University of IowaStephen J. Reynolds - Colorado State UniversityKirk Phillips - University of IowaCraig Zwerling - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.48(2), pp.100-109
- Publisher
- Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
- DOI
- 10.1002/ajim.20192
- PMID
- 16032738
- ISSN
- 0271-3586
- eISSN
- 1097-0274
- Number of pages
- 10
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/2005
- Academic Unit
- Statistics and Actuarial Science; Occupational and Environmental Health; Health Management and Policy; Business Analytics
- Record Identifier
- 9984380429502771
Metrics
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