#United States #Chicago #claims management #Workers' Comp #Rising Medical

Rising Medical Solutions Releases Insights from the 13th Annual Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study

Chicago-based Rising Medical Solutions has unveiled its 13th annual Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study Report, shedding light on what differentiates high-performing organizations from their lower-performing counterparts in claims management. This year’s report identifies key execution patterns that reveal significant performance variations amid similar operational priorities in the industry.

The study, based on a nationwide survey conducted at the end of 2025 among claims leaders, delves deep into why organizations that pursue identical strategies experience drastically different outcomes. The main takeaway is that the execution process plays a pivotal role in translating those strategies into measurable achievements. According to the report, effective execution rather than mere focus on different priorities is what defines high-performing workers' compensation claims organizations.

Key Findings of the Report

One of the standout findings from this year's study is that top-performing organizations manage more complex claims inventory effectively, leading to quicker closure rates compared to their peers. Rachel Fikes, Chief Experience Officer at Rising, highlighted that the distinction lies not in the nature of the cases handled but in the post-initial assessment processes that follow.

To summarize the report’s conclusions, four execution patterns emerged that successful claims organizations use to integrate their strategies into everyday practice, bolstering their performance:

1. Choosing Wisely: The best-performing organizations lean more on frontline insights and operational data to discover improvement opportunities. They prioritize investments that yield high-value results and initiatives.

2. Reducing Friction: Higher-performing companies excel at recognizing operational issues and creating solutions that lessen administrative burdens. This approach leads to streamlined workflows, enhancing everyday claims processing efficiency.

3. Driving Adoption: These organizations foster engagement among frontline staff during the implementation phases. By utilizing pilot programs and feedback systems, they refine their solutions before rolling them out across the board. They promote a culture of innovation and responsiveness from leadership.

4. Building Resilience: They invest significantly in workforce training, development, and leadership skills that not only elevate ongoing improvements but also set a foundation for future success.

The report also points out that the benefits brought by improving individual practices become substantially more powerful when they work synergistically. High-performing organizations display remarkable strength across multiple execution dimensions, forming a cumulative advantage that grows over time. Instead of handling improvement initiatives separately, they create a robust ecosystem encompassing people, processes, and culture that collectively drive superior results.

Fikes noted the encouraging nature of this year's findings, particularly the fact that many of the differentiators identified are within an organization’s control. While external factors such as changing workforce demographics and market conditions may be challenging to manage, organizations can improve efficiency by identifying new opportunities, addressing friction points, encouraging adoption, and investing in organizational strength.

Beyond the Report

Those interested in the extensive insights from this year's Benchmarking Study will have the opportunity to engage in further discussions at the upcoming National Comp 2026 event, with a session titled “Navigating What's Next: A Data-Backed Roadmap for Claims Success.” Fikes will moderate a panel featuring representatives from several major companies who will discuss real-world applications of the report's findings and the best practices of successful organizations.

The Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study aims to enhance claims management practices industry-wide by providing crucial data for organizations to evaluate peers’ priorities, challenges, and strategic approaches. Members from the Advisory Council, alongside executives involved in the ongoing study, continue to contribute valuable insights to strengthen the sector.

For more details and to access the complete 2025 Report, interested parties can visit Rising Medical Solutions’ official website. As they work to “make lives better” in healthcare, Rising remains committed to easing the burden of medical experiences for all stakeholders involved in workers' compensation claims management.