Workers' comp form nearly one infive employers with an HDHP report an increase in illegitimateworkers' comp claims since 2017—almost three times as many as thosewithout an HDHP. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Employers that offer accident or short-term disability insurance to theirworkers might derive another benefit: a drop in fraudulent workers'comp claims on injuries actually sustained outside the job becauseemployees couldn't afford the out-of-pocket costs, according toGuardian Life's report, "Risk Redirect: Using Group Accident and DisabilityInsurance to Reduce Illegitimate Workers' CompensationClaims."

Nearly half (46 percent) of the 1,500 employee benefitsdecision-makers surveyed by Guardian report a decline in workers'compensation claims after offering accident or short termdisability insurance. More and more employers are offering accidentand/or disability insurance plans to help offset out-of-pocketcosts and bridge gaps in high-deductible health plans – which alsocan deter workers from reporting an off-the-job injury as aworkers' comp claim in order to avoid paying for hospital or doctorbills, according to the report.

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Katie Kuehner-Hebert

Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a freelance writer based in Running Springs, Calif. She has more than three decades of journalism experience, with particular expertise in employee benefits and other human resource topics.