Experts Urge Federal Study Of AMA's Impairment Guide Used By Workers' Comp Systems

Workers' compensation experts are calling for a government study, possibly coordinated by NIOSH and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), to study physician-developed impairment rating systems frequently used by state workers' compensation systems to help calculate payments resulting from on-the-job injuries and illnesses. At the same time, some congressional Democrats are urging the Government Accountability Office to look into concerns about a possible cost-shifting from workers' comp systems and employers to the federal government's medical and disability programs, and to private insurers, due t