IBI’s benchmarking database permits research analysis in addition to robust comparisons for IBI benchmarking participants. Case in point is this analysis of 42,000 WC and STD closed low-back claims from the IBI benchmarking database. Medical and indemnity costs for such WC claims average almost $40,000 compared to $4,500 in disability payments for STD. But when the long-tail effects in WC are controlled, there is no difference in disability costs between the two program types. The high costs and relatively long durations of low-back claims in each program point to the need for prevention and disability management.