4 Ways To Manage Medical Supply Chain Disruption In Workers’ Comp

The health care supply chain is experiencing a multitude of disruptions, delays, wage pressures and shortages, some of which have an impact on workers’ compensation medical care.

Shortages that are currently affecting the products and services needed for injured worker treatment include: portable and home-use oxygen; some basic medical supplies, such as gauze and bandages; walking aids, including crutches, canes, braces and wheelchairs; medical monitors such as blood pressure cups and glucose meters; and diagnostic/imaging equipment, such as ultrasound and MRI machines.

In addition, a dearth of home health aides is making it difficult, if not impossible, to arrange in-home care for patients in some parts of the country.

Workers’ comp medical program directors are seeing delays in treatment for their injured workers and higher costs, as a result of these shortages.