Employees over the age of 60 are a growing segment of today’s workforce, and their claims are having a measurable impact on workers’ compensation programs. Research shows that claims in this age group last longer, cost more, and often involve multiple health conditions. For Risk Managers, the challenge is balancing the care of an experienced workforce with the financial pressures of extended claims.

What the Numbers Show

  • Claim duration: On average, claims involving workers over 60 remain open 25–30 percent longer than claims involving younger employees.
  • Medical spend: Older worker claims can cost 20–30 percent more due to specialist visits, diagnostic testing, and extended therapy.
  • Reserves: These claims are more likely to require higher reserves, leading to reserve creep and reduced program flexibility.
  • Lost Productivity: Extended recovery times can create ripple effects on staffing and operational continuity.

What Risk Managers Can Do

The good news is that risk managers can directly influence these outcomes by focusing on early action, targeted oversight, and structured return-to-work planning.

  • Flag high-risk claims early. Analytics and examiner expertise help identify cases with the potential to escalate, allowing for faster, more informed decisions.
  • Use Nurse Case Management strategically. Nurse Case Managers shorten recovery times by coordinating care, keeping treatment evidence-based, and eliminating unnecessary medical costs. Programs that actively use Nurse Case Managers report improved closure rates and reduced indemnity exposure.
  • Integrate Managed Care. A coordinated approach to utilization review, bill review, and pharmacy management reduces medical inflation and ensures reserves more accurately reflect true exposure.
  • Prioritize prevention. Ergonomics, wellness initiatives, and fall prevention programs lower claim frequency, improving overall loss ratios.

Athens’ Advantage

Athens Administrators has decades of experience helping organizations manage the realities of an aging workforce. Our combination of predictive analytics, long-tenured examiners, and integrated Managed Care solutions allows risk managers to:

  • Lower claim duration by addressing issues before they escalate.
  • Improve closure rates by keeping files moving toward resolution.
  • Control medical spend through nurse case management and coordinated care.
  • Gain greater financial predictability by managing reserves effectively.

For Risk Managers, the aging workforce does not have to mean higher costs. With Athens Administrators, you gain a partner that turns demographic challenges into opportunities for stronger program performance and healthier employees.