While there are many factors that affect the cost of medical care for injured employees, there is no getting around the fact that health care costs are rising and are often the largest single expense depleting department coffers. As a result, law enforcement agencies, large and small, are investigating affordable medical resources that will enable officers, staff, and recruits to return to work in a timely and safe manner.

U.S. health spending is projected to grow at an average rate of 6.2 percent annually during the period from 2015 to 2021. Through 2021, physician and clinical spending is also projected to grow 6.2 percent per year due to the aging population, obesity-related health conditions, and expanded coverage required under health care reforms. At the same time, hospital spending growth is expected to average 6.2 percent per year. These are critical numbers for law enforcement managers who are looking to fund training, equipment and supplies, and physician and rehabilitation costs.