Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study Launches 2025 Survey Examining New Claim Differentiators in an Evolving Industry

Claims Leaders Invited to Share Insights on Emerging Trends Reshaping Claims Management

CHICAGO, Nov. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study, the industry's largest claims management research initiative, has opened its 13th annual survey, inviting claims leaders to participate in essential research exploring the most pressing challenges and opportunities reshaping claims organizations today.

"As the industry faces rapid transformation, understanding what strategies are working—and why—is critical as claims leaders navigate a landscape defined by unprecedented change, innovation, and complexity," said Rachel Fikes, chief experience officer and study program director at Rising Medical Solutions. "This year's survey examines how organizations are evolving their people, processes, and technology to meet tomorrow's demands—from implementing AI-driven solutions and developing next-generation talent to optimizing operational performance and customer experience."

The 2025 survey and subsequent report represent a comprehensive analysis and change management guide examining new differentiators driving success in modern claims organizations. Claims leaders' responses will be used to deliver industry intelligence that helps workers' compensation payers benchmark performance, validate strategies, and identify practices generating better outcomes.

Specifically, when published, the 2025 Report will help claims organizations:

• Discover emerging strategies
• Leverage artificial intelligence
• Accelerate digital transformation
• Enhance human connection and injured worker engagement
• Attract and develop future-ready talent
• Measure operational excellence
• Validate strategies against peers
• Identify practices delivering superior outcomes

All claims managers, directors, and executive-level leaders who oversee workers' compensation claims operations for payer organizations are invited to take the confidential 2025 survey. The survey will remain open through the end of December 2025. In return for participating in the survey, claims leaders will be the first to receive a complimentary copy of the 2025 Report, which will be published in 2026.

As in prior years, the report will also be available to all industry stakeholders without cost or obligation as a contribution to the workers' compensation industry.

About the Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study

The Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study is a national research program examining the complex forces impacting claims management in workers' compensation today. The study's mission is to advance claims management in the industry by providing both quantitative and qualitative data. Through survey research with claims leaders and practitioners nationwide, the program generates actionable intelligence for claims organizations to evaluate priorities, challenges, and strategies amongst their peers. Conceived and directed by Rising Medical Solutions, the ongoing program is a collaboration of industry executives representing diverse organizational perspectives, including the Study's Principal Researcher and Advisory Council:

• Denise Algire, Director of Health | Albertsons Companies
• Marcos Iglesias, MD, Chief Medical Director | AF Group
• Paul Kearney, Chief Claims Officer | AF Group
• Robert Biltz, VP, Claims | AmTrust Financial Services
• Tyrone Spears, Chief, Workers' Comp Division | City of Los Angeles
• Kelli Chapman, VP, Claims | Eastern Alliance Insurance Group
• Thomas Stark, RVP, Commercial Lines | Encova Insurance
• Daniel Conley, Partner, SVP, Director of Claims | FutureComp
• Helen Weber, AVP, Head of Medical Strategy | The Hanover Insurance Group
• Adam Seidner, MD, Chief Medical Officer | The Hartford
• Victoria Kennedy, VP, Workers' Comp | Linea Solutions
• Jaclyn Tiger, Sr. Director, Claims, Workers' Comp | Markel
• Jennifer Barth, VP, Chief Legal & Claims Officer | MEM
• Stacey Foote, VP, Claims | The MEMIC Group
• Michele Lewis, Medical Services Director | Montana State Fund
• Molly Flanagan, AVP, Workers' Comp Claims | Nationwide
• Sharon DelGuercio, Director, Workers' Comp | Publix Super Markets
• Brigitte Hamilton, VP of Claims | SAIF
• Sarah Grace, RN, Managing Director, Workers' Comp Product Medical Innovation & Strategy | Travelers
• Brian Trick, Sr. Director, Employee Health & Claims Services | Wegmans Food Markets

Principal Researcher: Denise Algire | MBA, RN, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN
Study Director & Publisher: Rachel Fikes | CXO & Program Director, Rising Medical Solutions

About Rising Medical Solutions | We Make Lives Better.
Rising Medical Solutions (www.risingms.com) is a national managed care firm that provides medical cost containment and medical care management services to the workers' compensation, auto, liability, and group health markets. Rising's mission is to "make lives better" by taking the pain out of the healthcare experience for those providing, receiving, and paying for medical care.

Media Contact:

Rachel Fikes
[email protected]

SOURCE Rising Medical Solutions LLC