Speedy Return to Work with Scan.com: A Smart, Cost-Saving Strategy 

The Cost of Delay 

Each day that an injured employee stays home, costs pile up. Carriers and payers foot the bill for lost wages, temporary disability payments, and ongoing medical care.ⁱ Employers shoulder the burden of lost productivity, hiring temporary staff, and reshuffling workloads.ⁱⁱ Injured workers often feel trapped in a limbo of uncertainty, further slowing their recovery.ⁱⁱⁱ And once an injured worker becomes accustomed to staying home, it is often challenging to return them to work. 

Consider the financial impact. On average, every 100 employees will see 2.4 workplace injuries per year.^iv Approximately 25% of these injuries require medical imaging, such as MRIs or CT scans, with each case averaging 1.8 scans.^v That might seem small, but any delays in those imaging appointments can have an outsized impact. 

Let’s say a typical injured worker earns $200 a day. If a delay in imaging appointments causes an employee’s return-to-work date to be postponed by even five days, that results in $1,000 in direct costs per injured worker. If the average industrial accident occurs in 2.4% of employees and 25% of those employees receive the industry standard of 1.8 scans, across just 100 employees, that translates to nearly $1,080 in total preventable costs. Scale that up to a company of 10,000 employees, and you’re looking at over a hundred thousand dollars in unnecessary expenses—every year. 

Impact of Medical Imaging Delays on Return-to-Work in Workers’ Compensation 

Delays in scheduling medical imaging, such as MRIs and CT scans, can significantly hinder the return-to-work process for injured employees within the workers' compensation system. These delays not only prolong recovery times but also escalate costs for employers and insurers. 

Harvard Medical School found that nearly half of outpatient MRI orders experienced significant delays, averaging 10 days beyond the expected scheduling date. Factors contributing to these delays included administrative bottlenecks, waiting for insurance authorization, and limited availability of imaging appointments.^vi 

In the context of workers' compensation, such delays can be even more pronounced. The necessity for pre-authorization, coordination among multiple stakeholders (including employers, insurers, and medical providers), and adherence to specific regulatory requirements can extend the waiting period for essential diagnostic imaging. These extended timelines can delay the initiation of appropriate treatment plans, thereby prolonging an employee's absence from work. 

Timely medical imaging is crucial for accurate diagnosis and the development of effective treatment strategies. Delays in imaging can lead to postponed treatment interventions, which in turn can extend the duration of an employee's disability. For instance, a delay in diagnosing a musculoskeletal injury may result in the condition worsening, necessitating more intensive treatment and a longer recovery period. 

Moreover, prolonged absences from work can have psychological impacts on employees, including decreased morale and increased anxiety about job security.^vii These factors can further complicate the return-to-work process, potentially leading to longer-term disability claims and increased costs for employers and insurers.^viii 

To address these challenges, stakeholders in the workers' compensation system can implement several strategies: 

• Streamlining Authorization Processes: Simplifying and expediting the approval process for diagnostic imaging can reduce unnecessary delays. 

• Enhancing Communication: Improved coordination among employers, insurers, and medical providers can facilitate quicker scheduling of imaging appointments. 

• Utilizing Digital Platforms: Adopting digital solutions for scheduling and managing medical imaging can increase efficiency and reduce administrative burdens. 

By implementing these measures, the workers' compensation system can improve the timeliness of medical imaging, thereby supporting faster recovery and return-to-work outcomes for injured employees. 

Imaging Bottlenecks Are a Hidden Liability 

Here’s the problem: medical imaging is often one of the first major hurdles in diagnosing injuries accurately.^ix But in many systems, scheduling an MRI or CT scan takes too long.^x Even once the scan is done, delays in reporting and communicating results back to the carrier or treating physician create further lags.^xi These unnecessary slowdowns stall decisions on treatment and work restrictions—keeping employees out of work longer than they need to be.^xii This isn’t just inefficient—it’s avoidable. 

Speed Changes Everything 

Speedy access to diagnostic imaging accelerates the entire return-to-work process. The sooner a scan is completed and interpreted, the faster the treating physician can confirm a diagnosis, start a treatment plan, or clear the worker to return, possibly with modified duties.^xiii 

Fast imaging eliminates guesswork. It decreases unproductive days on leave. It reduces the uncertainty gap for everyone involved. This is important not only for medical clarity but also for morale.^xv Injured workers who are aware that their situation is being addressed with urgency feel less frustrated, become more engaged in recovery, and grow more trusting of the system. ^xvi 

That trust is a game-changer. Dissatisfied injured workers are more likely to file disputes, resist return-to-work plans, or drop out of the workforce altogether, driving up long-term claim costs and employer premiums.^xiv 

Enter Scan.com: The Imaging Accelerator 

Scan.com is designed to eliminate these delays. By providing a digital-first, on-demand imaging scheduling platform, Scan.com removes the traditional obstacles that hinder progress: referral faxes, phone tag with imaging centers, and unclear appointment availability. ^xvi 

With Scan.com, workers’ compensation payers can schedule scans in real time and receive results quickly, often within 24–48 hours.^xv This closes the gap between injury and diagnosis, supporting earlier interventions and smarter return-to-work decisions.^xvi 

For injured workers, the platform streamlines the experience: no waiting weeks for a scan, and no confusion about where to go or when results will be returned. For carriers, it delivers savings, not just on imaging logistics, but on claim durations and benefit payouts. For employers, it shortens the time needed to restore workforce capacity.^xvii 

Real-World Impact: Dollars and Days Saved 

Let’s look at the math again. Out of every 100 employees, 2.4 will be injured annually.^xviii Of those, 24% will require imaging, with an average of 1.8 scans per injury.^xix Assuming each of those imaging delays is just five days, this will cost the employer or carrier approximately $1,000 in unnecessary wage loss or disability payouts. That’s over $1,000 saved for every 100 employees just by speeding up imaging. 

But scale this up: 

• For a 1,000-employee company, the savings could be $10,800 per year. 

• A 10,000-employee company? Over $108,000 annually. 

• The savings for a national carrier handling millions of covered workers? We're talking millions in reclaimed efficiency. 

And those are just the hard-dollar savings. Add in reduced litigation, better worker satisfaction, and improved claim resolution times, and the value multiplies.^xx  

Early return-to-work (RTW) programs can substantially decrease the likelihood of claims escalating to litigation. A study by Aon revealed that attorney involvement in workers' compensation claims increased indemnity benefits by 400% and extended claim durations by an average of 471 days.^xxi Moreover, litigated claims resulted in 284% more lost-time workdays compared to non-litigated claims. Implementing proactive RTW strategies helps mitigate these risks by addressing employee concerns early and maintaining open communication.^xxii 

Worker Satisfaction: The Missing Link in Faster Recovery 

Too often, workers feel like a cog in the system—waiting on approvals, unclear on next steps, and unsure who’s even handling their case. Fast, transparent imaging changes that dynamic. When injured workers are seen, scanned, and diagnosed promptly, they feel taken seriously. That reduces stress, boosts cooperation with treatment plans, and creates a better overall claims experience.^xxiii Speed is more than convenience—it’s care in action. And it pays off. 

A Real-World Consequence of Delayed Imaging 

Consider the case of a warehouse worker in Indiana who injured his lower back while lifting a heavy crate. On September 1st, after reporting significant pain radiating into his leg and numbness in his foot, his physician suspected a herniated disc and immediately ordered an MRI. Under normal circumstances, early imaging would have confirmed the diagnosis, enabling targeted treatment, possibly even early surgical intervention or physical therapy tailored to the severity of the injury.^xxiv 

But because his claim was routed through the workers’ compensation system, the scan required payer scheduling and authorization, which triggered a cascade of bureaucratic delays. Despite multiple follow-ups by both the patient and the provider, the MRI wasn’t scheduled or approved. By October 15th—more than six weeks later—no scan had been performed, and the worker’s condition had deteriorated. He was now unable to stand for long periods and began experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and financial stress from being out of work with no clear treatment plan. 

The result? A potentially moderate injury had become chronic. When the MRI was finally completed, it revealed a large disc herniation requiring surgery. Due to the delay, the recovery window had lengthened significantly. A return to work that was previously projected to take 4–6 weeks was now expected to take 4–6 months. Meanwhile, the employer faced thousands of dollars in extended disability wage payments, temporary staffing costs, and legal exposure if the worker chose to litigate. 

This case, documented by the Indiana law firm Klezmer Maudlin, is not unique. It reflects a systemic problem in workers’ compensation: when diagnostic imaging is delayed, injuries worsen, outcomes suffer, and costs balloon—hurting everyone involved.^xxv 

A Smarter Future for Workers’ Comp 

The data is clear. A delayed return to work costs everyone. Faster access to imaging—enabled by platforms like Scan.com—is a straightforward and effective way to reduce delays, lower costs, and enhance worker satisfaction. It helps everyone win: workers recover faster, carriers spend less, and employers get their people back sooner.^xxvi 

Workers’ comp doesn’t need more complexity. It needs smart, scalable solutions. Scan.com delivers exactly what you need—speed, clarity, and savings. 

Endnotes & References 

i Hunt, A., & Dillender, M. (2018). Workers’ Compensation: Analysis for its Second Century. By H. Allan Hunt and Marcus Dillender. Kalamazoo, MI: W. E. UpJohn Institute for Employment Research, 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2018/book-review/the-second-century.htm ii Inflation and workers compensation Medical Costs—Overall Medical. (2022, October 10). ncci.com. https://www.ncci.com/SecureDocuments/AES_Content/Medical_Dillema.html iii Baldwin, M. L., & Butler, R. J. (2006). Upper extremity disorders in the workplace: Costs and outcomes beyond the first return to work. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 16(3), 296–316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-006-9043-2 iv Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries And Illnesses – 2023. (2024, November 8). https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/osh.pdf v Smith-Bindman, R., Kwan, M. L., Marlow, E. C., Theis, M. K., Bolch, W., Cheng, S. Y., Bowles, E. J. A., Duncan, J. R., Greenlee, R. T., Kushi, L. H., Pole, J. D., Rahm, A. K., Stout, N. K., Weinmann, S., & Miglioretti, D. L. (2019). Trends in use of medical imaging in US health care systems and in Ontario, Canada, 2000-2016. JAMA, 322(9), 843. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.11456 vi Stempniak, M. (2024, January 11). Common factors associated with delays in filling outpatient MRI orders. Radiology Business. https://radiologybusiness.com/topics/healthcare-management/medical-practice-management/common-factors-associated-delays-filling-outpatient-mri-orders vii Collie, A., Lane, T., Sheehan, L., & Iles, R. (2020, June). Psychological distress in Workers’ compensation Claimants: Prevalence, predictors and mental health service use. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336762306_Psychological_Distress_in_Workers%27_Compensation_Claimants_Prevalence_Predictors_and_Mental_Health_Service_Use viii Galizzi, M., & Boden, L. (2003, June). The return to work of injured workers: evidence from matched unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation data. Labour Economics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0927537103000149?via%3Dihub ix Appropriateness criteria. (n.d.). https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/Clinical-Tools-and-Reference/Appropriateness-Criteria x WCRI - Workers Compensation Research Institute. (n.d.). https://www.wcrinet.org/reports/time-from-injury-to-medical-treatment xi Rogers, C., Willis, S., Gillard, S., & Chudleigh, J. (2023). Patient experience of imaging reports: A systematic literature review. Ultrasound, 31(3), 164–175. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742271x221140024 xii Workers’ compensation Research -. (2021, December 13). https://www.nasi.org/research/workers-compensation/ xiii Procedure manual. (n.d.). DOL. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/compliance/DFECfolio/FECA-PT2/group3 xiv Henry, B. (2024, March 12). How Return-to-Work Programs impact workers’ compensation expenses - Bitner Henry Insurance Group. Bitner Henry Insurance Group. https://bitnerhenry.com/how-return-to-work-programs-impact-workers-compensation-expenses/ xv Id. xvi Pollen, A. (2025, February 26). Are radiology backlogs putting your health system at risk? Healthcare AI | Aidoc Always-on AI. https://www.aidoc.com/learn/blog/are-radiology-backlogs-putting-your-health-system-at-risk xvii As patients wait for imaging results, WVU research links delays with how online radiologists get paid. (2023, May 16). WVU Today | West Virginia University. https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2023/05/16/as-patients-wait-for-imaging-results-wvu-research-links-delays-with-how-online-radiologists-get-paid xviii NIOSH Worker health Charts. (n.d.). https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-WHC/chart/bls-ii/injury?T=ZS&V=C&D=RANGE&Sort=Code&SortDir=DESC&chk_codes=False xix Levin, D., Janiga, N., (2024, March 14). 2024 Outlook: Diagnostic imaging centers and radiology practices - HealthCare Appraisers. HealthCare Appraisers. https://healthcareappraisers.com/2024-outlook-diagnostic-imaging-centers-and-radiology-practices xx 3 Strategies to help avoid workers compensation claims litigation. (n.d.-b). Aon. https://www.aon.com/en/insights/articles/3-strategies-to-help-avoid-workers-compensation-claims-litigation xxi 3 Strategies to help avoid workers compensation claims litigation. (n.d.). Aon. https://www.aon.com/en/insights/articles/3-strategies-to-help-avoid-workers-compensation-claims-litigation xxii Employers: Best practices for helping employees return to work. (n.d.). https://www.wcb.ny.gov/returntowork/employer-business-owner.jsp xxiii Robrecht, H. (2024, January 8). The importance of early intervention in workers’ compensation claims. Athens Administrators. https://www.athensadmin.com/news/the-importance-of-early-intervention-in-workers-compensation-claims/ xxiv Klezmer, R. (2023, November 21). Dealing with the frustrations of delayed treatment in workers comp cases. Klezmer Maudlin PC. https://www.klezmermaudlin.com/dealing-with-the-frustrations-of-delayed-treatment-in-workers-comp-cases xxv Ritchie, B., Somerville, L., Sheng, M., Choi, M., Tirumani, S., & Ramayaiya, N. (2025, April 12). Impact of turnaround time in radiology: The good, the bad, and the ugly. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0363018825000891 xxvi Dearth, R. (2024, October 29). Return-to-Work helps reduce workers’ compensation costs. ReEmployAbility. https://www.reemployability.com/return-to-work-helps-reduce-workers-compensation-costs

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