Texas Workers’ Comp Division Reports 78K COVID-19 Claims

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) reported more than 78,000 COVID claims and 422 fatalities as of Feb. 6, 2022.

DWC’s March report, “COVID-19 In The Texas Workers’ Compensation System,” is based on a data call with 74 selected insurance carriers.

According to the report, 48% of COVID claims and 52% of fatalities included first responders and correctional officers. 61% of claims involved injured employees who tested positive or were diagnosed with COVID. Insurance carriers accepted 52% of COVID positive test claims and denied 45% of COVID positive test claims. There were only 166 disputes filed with DWC as of Feb. 6.

Insurance carriers and employers paid approximately $55.5 million in indemnify benefits on COVID claims, including $29.8 million in employer salary continuation, $23.2 million in workers’ compensation income benefits, $2.2 million in death benefits and $292,850 in burial benefits. Political subdivisions have paid 72% of costs, while commercial insurance carriers have paid 23% and the State of Texas has paid 5%.

Carriers paid $35.1 million in medical costs on COVID claims. Hospital / facility services made up four-fifths, or $27.8 million, of medical payments. Of medical payments, 74% have been paid by political subdivisions, followed by insurance carriers at 22% and the State of Texas at 4%.

Topics Texas Claims Workers' Compensation COVID-19