Insights & Updates

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY Mental health has never been more visible as a public conversation. In workers’ compensation, the question is no longer whether behavioral health matters; the data settled that years ago. The question now is whether the system is equipped to act on what it already knows. October 10 is World Mental Health […]

In her latest Leaders Speak column for WorkCompWire, Dr. Miranda Kofeldt, Vice President of Clinical Operations at Ascellus, looks at a timing problem that rarely shows up on a claims dashboard. Clinically, a traumatic stress reaction tends to either resolve or begin to meet criteria for PTSD within about 30 days. Nationally, the typical wait for a first mental health appointment often runs longer than that. And in workers’ compensation, the pool of clinicians who understand how a claim works is smaller still.

OUTCOMES & PROOF · MID-YEAR INTELLIGENCE Halfway through the year, the data points in one direction: behavioral health factors are among the most reliable predictors of claim duration and cost. Here is what we are seeing in the field, and what it means for how claims teams allocate attention in the second half of 2026. […]

CLINICAL EDUCATION · NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH Injured workers carry elevated risk factors that the claims process can either ease or amplify. Claims professionals are not clinicians and are not expected to assess or treat risk, but they are frequently a primary person in regular contact with the injured worker. This guide covers what raises […]

Risk stratification is not new in workers’ compensation. Carriers and payers have used it for years to route claims, but most models still overlook a critical predictor of delayed recovery: psychosocial and behavioral health risk.

Risk stratification is not new in workers’ compensation. Carriers and payers have used it for years to route claims, but most models still overlook a critical predictor of delayed recovery: psychosocial and behavioral health risk.

See how early behavioral health intervention helped accelerate a worker’s recovery by 145 days and improved workers’ compensation outcomes. Case Study Spotlight | Delayed Recovery Prevention | Part 2 of 2 145 Days Faster: How Behavioral Intervention Changed the Claim In Part 1, we met Maria S., a veterinary technician whose ankle fracture recovery stalled […]

The legal landscape for first responder PTSD claims has shifted significantly over the past decade. At least 34 states have now enacted presumption laws — and most claims teams are still navigating the gap between legal change and clinical clarity. This post is based on content presented at the 2026 AOHC (ACOEM) Annual Conference by […]

Wyatt N. had been a firefighter for six years when the weight of it finally became too much. He was 27, planning a medical retirement, and convinced his career was over. This is the story of what happened when he got the right care. MEET WYATT Six years of running toward the problem. Wyatt joined […]

After years in the back seat, behavioral health has become a top priority for the workers’ compensation industry Ascellus, a leading behavioral health provider focused on helping injured workers restore their physical and emotional wellbeing, today rolled out a new and improved company website. The new website signifies more than a typical website rollout. While […]

Maria S. had a straightforward ankle fracture. The surgery went well. The recovery did not. This is the story of what happened — and why it matters for every claim team managing a physical injury case. The Claim A successful surgery. A stalled recovery. On paper, Maria’s case looked manageable. An ankle fracture sustained at […]

Physical injury claims don’t always stall because of the injury. Recognizing these psychosocial risk factors early can change the trajectory of a claim — and the life of an injured worker. When a physical injury claim isn’t progressing the way it should, the instinct is often to look harder at the injury itself. More imaging. […]

In a recent episode of the Expanding Access podcast from Behavioral Health Tech, Joe Holtschlag and Liam Donohue dive into how behavioral health is reshaping the workers’ compensation landscape.

For many years, behavioral health has been missing from workers’ compensation’s recovery approach. Clinicians have long understood that psychological and social factors slow

With years of customer implementation, retention, and growth experience, Nancy Schaefer is appointed to the role

MIAMI (Jan. 20, 2026) – Ascellus, a leading behavioral health provider focused on helping injured workers restore their physical and emotional wellbeing, today announced the appointment of seasoned industry professional Nancy Schaefer as vice president of sales and customer activation.

Key takeaways Can addressing mental health factors improve return to work after work related COVID-19? In this peer reviewed study coauthored by Ascellus Behavioral Health clinicians, 80% of 103 frontline workers returned to work within 12 weeks after receiving a psychological evaluation and at least three sessions of work focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Work relevant […]

Key takeaways Can mental health screening help workers return to work after a prolonged concussion recovery? In this peer reviewed study coauthored by Ascellus Behavioral Health clinicians, 157 injured workers completed a neurocognitive and psychological screening evaluation, followed by brief work focused therapy when appropriate. Although they had been off work for an average of […]

Key takeaways How can claims teams make sense of cognitive complaints after COVID-19? In this peer reviewed study coauthored by Ascellus Behavioral Health clinicians, a structured neurocognitive screening evaluation (NCSE) was given to 64 employees who were off work with cognitive symptoms attributed to post COVID-19 condition. Workers had been off for an average of […]