The Washington state workers' compensation system: a case study.

Washington State workers' compensation has researched applying managed care in workers' compensation through a series of research projects. In 1995 and 1996, the managed care project evaluated the impact of managed care on medical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the cost control of medical care and disability. The managed care project also evaluated the long-term outcome of the cases by reviewing the participants 2 years after the injury. Finally, the managed care project evaluated the satisfaction of the employer with managed care. The Department of Labor and Industries Centers of Occupational Health and Education project currently is evaluating the impact of an occupational medicine-directed, education-oriented, protocol-guided pilot project.