How In-Home Care Can Cut Costs and Improve Outcomes for Workers’ Compensation
Workplace injuries impact the entire organization. From lost productivity and higher medical claims to employee dissatisfaction, the costs can add up quickly. While it’s impossible to eliminate all workers’ comp costs, you can reduce them without sacrificing the quality of care. How?
RN-led, skilled home health and supportive home care recovery programs from BrightStar Care® provide employers and networks with a proven, cost-effective solution.
The Cost Challenge of Workplace Injuries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers reported more than 2.6 million workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023. The National Safety Council reported that the average workers’ compensation claim was $43,000 from that same year.
But the cost doesn’t stop there. When you factor in lost productivity and overtime to cover absent employees and retraining costs, the financial burden becomes even more significant.
Employers, workers’ compensation (WC) networks and third-party administrators (TPAs) face both direct expenses and hidden costs associated with extended recovery timelines.
Impact of Rapid Responsiveness and Recovery
During recovery, injured workers may be unable to perform at full capacity (and many may be unable to return to work for weeks or months).
Clinical evidence supports the importance of timely care. According to a recent PRWeb news article by SMP Consulting Group, early intervention points to significant cost savings for employers.
By delivering skilled care directly in the home, BrightStar Care supports patients where they are most comfortable, reducing facility costs impacting the overall claims costs.
The Need for Faster, More Efficient Recovery Solutions
With millions of U.S. workers facing workplace injuries every year, employers and TPAs require faster and more efficient recovery solutions.
Workers’ comp home care from BrightStar Care provides the missing link between facility-based care and outpatient services:
- RN oversight
- Clinical expertise
- Supportive in-home care
Why In-home Workers’ Compensation Care Works
Home isn’t just where the heart is. It’s where recovery happens most effectively. Patients and caregivers consistently express a strong preference for home-based care over facility-based post-acute options (even when additional caregiver support is required). By allowing patients to recover at home may create a more positive experience for the patient.
Evidence also shows that recovery outcomes from home-based care are comparable (if not superior) to institutional care. Patients often adhere to their care plans more consistently when in a comfortable, familiar environment. This can help reduce complications and support a smoother transition. While specific data on workers’ comp cases remains limited, comparable findings in post-acute home care are well-documented.
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From a cost perspective, the difference is clear.
Research suggests that in-home care can save payors and employers 50-66%of monthly costs compared to inpatient rehabilitation or hospital stays. -
Clinical timeliness also drives cost savings and faster return-to-work outcomes.
While specific studies on workers’ comp home care are scarce, early intervention models demonstrate that prompt, skilled care in post-injury settings accelerates recovery and reduces long-term costs.
These points translate to meaningful savings for payors and employers without compromising service quality.
BrightStar Care’s Workers’ Compensation program integrates these advantages into a single, coordinated workforce solution with a distinctive competitive edge: RN-led clinical oversight paired with in-home skilled and non-medical support. This blended model ensures:
- Lower direct healthcare costs.
- Compliance and quality assurance through RN-led care.
- A care environment that aligns with patient preferences.
- Outcomes that match or exceed those of facility-based settings.
- Ability to work with patients in over 41 states (including Alaska and Hawaii).How does this alignment benefit WC networks and TPAs?
By delivering in-home care that combines clinical precision and personal comfort at a significant cost savings, Brightstar Care positions itself not as a competitor, but as a strategic workforce extension.
The RN-led model enhances oversight and care coordination, reinforcing partner confidence in both compliance and outcomes.
Lowering Employer Costs Without Sacrificing Care Quality
BrightStar Care’s model helps employers and TPAs control costs while maintaining care standards:
- Preventing unnecessary complications and readmissions by monitoring conditions at home.
- Reducing lost workdays with timely interventions and recovery support.
- Following the care plans from our providers to ensure continuity and efficiency.
Every BrightStar Care location is Joint Commission-accredited and meets all state licensure requirements, providing peace of mind that care is consistent and compliant.
Reducing Hospital Visits and Unnecessary ER Use
Unplanned hospitalizations and emergency room (ER) visits are costly for payors and employers. Skilled in-home nursing oversight from BrightStar Care can help prevent complications that often lead to avoidable ER use.
Research indicates that timely, high-quality home care can reduce ER visits and support a smoother recovery. By providing clinical monitoring, early intervention and coordinated care, we help injured workers recover safely at home while lowering overall costs for your organization.
Minimizing Transportation Costs and Lost Time
Commuting to hospitals and doctors’ offices can be costly and time-consuming for employees and disruptive for employers. With skilled nursing, physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) provided in the home, injured workers receive convenient, effective care without unnecessary travel.
It is important to note, however, that Bright Star Care’s personal care services can include transportation support, ensuring employees can still attend essential doctor visits and maintain continuity of care.
Early Intervention to Prevent Complications
BrightStar Care RNs act as an extension of your workers’ compensation care plan, ensuring proper coordination and compliance. With frequent in-home workers’ comp nursing visits, we can identify warning signs early (e.g., infection, delayed wound healing, or mobility setbacks) and communicate promptly with the care team.
This proactive approach helps reduce complications, supports faster recovery and lowers long-term claims costs.
BrightStar Care’s 24/7 Nurse Dispatch Advantage
When workers’ comp cases call for around-the-clock support, BrightStar Care has the capabilities to provide 24/7 RN-led oversight. Our teams collaborate with partners to design flexible care plans that align with each patient’s clinical needs, whether that means continuous nursing, overnight monitoring, or targeted support.
This model delivers reliability and peace of mind. Employers and payors know their injured workers are receiving the highest standard of care, while our partners gain a trusted workforce solution that extends and strengthens their own capabilities.
Meeting Service-Level Agreements
No two workers’ comp injuries are the same. That’s why BrightStar Care works with each partner to provide their patients with the care they need. Rapid response to changes in condition.
With our 24/7 RN-led oversight and support, our care team can respond quickly to changes in a worker’s health status. This proactive approach reduces the risk of setbacks and helps maintain recovery momentum.
Detailed Documentation for Claims Management
Accurate, detailed and timely documentation is essential for efficient claims processing. We provide:
- Weekly updates as a standard practice
- Expedited documentation within 48 hours when needed
- Comprehensive condition reporting to support claims compliance and cost control
Outcomes Employers Can Measure
Our partners return to BrightStar Care because our workforce solutions provide them a streamlined process to refer a patient across the country, our clinical quality with RN-led care, cost savings of providing care in the home and patient satisfaction from our compassionate care.
Contact us to learn how we can help you reduce costs while ensuring injured workers receive the care they need.
FAQs
How does in-home workers’ comp care reduce costs?
Workers’ comp home care reduces costs in several ways, including:
- The patient can be in their home rather than in a facility.
- Offering early interventions to prevent complications.
- Helping employees recover in the comfort of their home.
What types of injuries can be managed at home?
Our team of skilled and non-medical workers can handle workers’ comp injuries ranging from basic to highly complex. As a result, we can treat everything from strains and sprains to spinal cord injuries and severe burns.
How does BrightStar Care ensure care quality and compliance?
All BrightStar Care agencies maintain all state-level licensure and regulatory requirements. Our agencies are also accredited by The Joint Commission.
Partner with BrightStar Care
Our broad network spans 41 states and continues to grow. Comprised of skilled nurses with deep expertise, we have the resources to help you with your simple to most complex infusion treatments.