The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a lot about globalization, health care systems and how well they work, and how well they don’t.

As we keep seeing and hearing, the pandemic is far from being over. Times as we know it are changed forever and the adaptations we have made are here to stay. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that COVID has changed the workers’ comp landscape.

Economic

In 2020, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) showed over 45,000 COVID-19 claims and $260 million in workers’ compensation losses. While these statistics seem alarming, the strain expected to hit the workers’ compensation system did not occur. The year 2020 was a banner one for the insurance industry. By combining the ratio of private carriers at 87% and reserves growing to $14 billion, it’s clear that we have a resilient and robust system.

Worker Shortage

Healthcare workers and First Responders put themselves at risk for complete strangers, but many have also faced devastating losses or direct impact despite their selfless sacrifices. In June 2021, NCCI reported: “To date, nursing/convalescent home employees, other healthcare workers, and first responders have collectively accounted for more than 75% of all COVID-19 claims reported to NCCI.”

The stress and its effects have had a large impact on healthcare workers and other first responders, logistics community members, teachers, and more. As a result, many have left those jobs, and the workforce has changed.

“According to recent studies, between 20% and 30% of frontline U.S. health-care workers say they are now considering leaving the profession. Notably, one April 2021 study by health care jobs marketplace Vivian found that four in 10 (43%) nurses are considering leaving their role in 2021 — a figure that is higher among ICU workers (48%).”

In 2022, we expect to see many employees reenter the workforce, potentially in different careers, which will have noticeable effects on the workers’ comp industry.

Flexibility

All employers learned a lesson in flexibility in 2020 and 2021. The stay-at-home mandate, coupled with a massive boost in need for healthcare workers and logistics employees, changed everything.

Employers, insurers, and policymakers have all played a part in the workers’ compensation system’s ability to respond swiftly. In moments of crisis, they proved came together with innovation that can make workplaces safer for employees while also providing treatment when needed and responding to claims quickly so that businesses can continue without the added stress of claims looming over them.

At Normandy Insurance, we pride ourselves on a fast response to workers’ comp claims while providing the personal touch our agents and their clients deserve. If you are interested in writing with us or our services, please check out this page for more details: www.normandyins.com

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