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.

Even more challenging are the undiagnosed cases. Carriers are seeing claims where an injury triggers an unexpected diabetes diagnosis — creating a dual burden for the patient, who must now manage both recovery and a chronic illness. Stress, anxiety, and poor understanding of the condition only heighten the risk of setbacks.

The takeaway for adjusters and nurse case managers: don’t overlook the “pre-diabetic” label in a chart. Treat it as a red flag for potential healing delays, compliance challenges, and higher medical utilization. Early screening for A1C levels, timely referrals, and patient education can make the difference between a routine claim and a chronic case.

As our panelists reminded the audience, diabetes management is no longer a side issue in workers’ comp — it’s a central one. Identifying and addressing it early isn’t just good medicine; it’s smart claims management.

To learn more, join our webinar on “Practical Strategies & Innovations for Diabetes in Workers’ Compensation” | October 30, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST
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