UCSD Study
University of California San Diego
Employer Outcome Study

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Program Overview

In 2005, in an effort to control the escalating costs of workers’ compensation and healthcare benefits utilization due to employee musculoskeletal injury and pain, the University of California- San Diego introduced the PainFree™ Program to departments with high worker compensation claims and injury rates. During the following eleven months, a total of 279 UCSD employees received treatment under the UCSD PainFree™ Program at a total cost of $119,363. A claims cost analysis showed a $246,000 reduction in direct worker compensation costs from the prior year period in departments where the program was implemented. This $126,637 reduction in workers’ compensation costs translated into a 106% return on investment in direct cost savings.

Gains in Employee Productivity

Recognizing that direct treatment is only a portion of the cost associated with workplace pain and injury, the University also studied the program’s impact on reducing employee presenteeism, the lost productivity associated with employees being present but not productive due to a painful condition. The study showed the annualized cost of lost productivity was reduced 46% from $3,846 to $2,087 per employee (p=.0016). Based on the employees receiving treatment in the study, the total annual productivity gain was estimated at $205,803. Total treatment costs were $46,924 translating into a 339% return on investment in gains on employee productivity.

JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY RESEACH STUDY

UCSD STUDY

University of California study results showing savings in lost productivity costs using the PainFree™ Program. Published by the Institute for Health and Productivty Management (IHPM).