Increased Benefit Generosity and the Impact on Workers' Compensation Claiming Behaviour: An Interrupted Time Series Study in Victoria, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the effect of legislation in Victoria, Australia that increased workers' compensation benefits, including a raised wage replacement cap for higher earners, on claiming behaviours.

METHODS: Controlled interrupted time series of monthly claiming volumes and median disability duration, focusing on overall effects, impact among higher earners, and by condition type.

RESULTS: Overall claiming increased 12%, driven by back/neck (18%) and other musculoskeletal conditions (14%). Overall disability duration did not change, though increased 27% among back/neck conditions. Among higher earners, findings on a claiming effect were mixed, while disability duration increased 33%, driven by back/neck MSK conditions (23%). Findings for mental health conditions were mixed.

CONCLUSIONS: The effect of benefit generosity on workers' compensation claiming and disability duration varied by earnings and condition. Effects were strongest among musculoskeletal conditions.