Recent Study Highlights Major Shifts in Workers’ Compensation Referral Trends

OM
Jun 23
2 min read

Updated: Jun 25

Recent industry studies published this year have confirmed a major shift in how workers’ compensation referrals are made.

Today, many adjusters, case managers, and risk managers, the professionals responsible for directing care, are no longer working in traditional office settings. The shift toward remote and hybrid roles, combined with ongoing workforce turnover across the industry, has disrupted long-standing referral patterns.

One of the most significant findings:Medical practices that are not actively marketing themselves are being consistently overlooked.

While network listings may still be required, they no longer drive referrals the way they once did. Referrals now go to providers who are visible, accessible, and known to the professionals actively managing claims.

Key Takeaways:

Network listings do not guarantee referralsReferrals are based on familiarity, outcomes, and trust.

Visibility is essential:

With decentralized teams and shifting roles, practices that do not remain visible often fall off the radar.

Consistency and communication matter:

Referral sources rely on doctors they know will follow workers’ comp protocols and communicate clearly.

These trends make one thing clear. If your practice is not staying visible, it is being overlooked.

Referrals are going to providers who maintain ongoing visibility and strong communication with those managing claims.

If your practice wants to stay competitive and grow referrals, you need a team that already has the relationships in place.

OM has been doing this for over 20 years. We work with the most successful practices in the country and are trusted by the people who decide where injured workers go for care. In workers’ comp, relationships are everything. Without them, referrals do not happen.

We understand how referrals work in every state. Whether care is directed by the employer, the employee, or follows a panel system, OM builds a strategy based on your state’s rules. More importantly, we make sure your name stays in front of the right decision makers so your practice is visible when referrals are made.