The Hidden Claims Killer — How Undiagnosed and Pre-Diabetes Complicate Workers’ Comp Recovery

In workers’ compensation, we often focus on the visible injury — the fracture, the tear, or the wound that needs care. But one of the most disruptive factors in delayed recovery is often invisible: undiagnosed or pre-diabetes.

During MTI America’s webinar “Complicating Factors: How Diabetes Impacts Recovery and Claim Duration,” clinical experts emphasized a critical truth — pre-diabetes isn’t a mild warning sign. It’s a clinical condition that quietly impacts every stage of the recovery process, from wound healing to return-to-work timelines.

One in three U.S. workers currently lives with pre-diabetes or diabetes. Many are unaware until a workplace injury triggers bloodwork. The consequences can be profound. Elevated glucose levels thicken the blood, much like adding sugar to water, reducing circulation to capillaries and slowing tissue repair. For surgical patients, this often means delayed clearance, infection risk, and longer healing times.

“Pre-diabetes isn’t ‘almost diabetic’— it is diabetic. The sooner we address it, the fewer claims spiral out of control.”
— Zack Craft, VP of Complex Claims, MTI America

Clinically, these patients face wound complications, post-operative infections, and fatigue that interfere with physical therapy. Financially, studies show an average delay of 20+ days in return-to-work for injured workers with unmanaged diabetes. These ripple effects raise reserves, increase costs, and extend claim lifecycles.

Managing Diabetes Beyond the Diagnosis — Clinical Tools and Coaching That Drive Better Outcomes

Case managers and physicians are increasingly shifting focus to “time in range” — how often a patient’s glucose stays between 70–180 mg/dL. Staying within that range for at least 70% of the day is a strong indicator of good control and better wound healing. Conversely, uncontrolled glucose can extend healing by weeks and increase infection risk, especially after orthopedic or vascular surgery.

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	Oct. 30, 2025 Webinar Practical Strategies & Innovations for Diabetes in Workers’ Compensation Register Today!
	Nov 11 – 13, 2025 NWCDC Nashville, TN
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