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impact on the return-to-work rate is analysed. The results showed
that the return to work increased at the time of the time limits, and
especially among those reaching the 180-day eligibility check.
Studying the long-term effects, the analysis is restricted to those who
are foreign born, a group that increased return to work relatively more
due to the time limits. Studying this sub-population, the probability of
identifying any long-term effects should be relatively good compared
to analysing the total population. The reason why foreign born people
increased return to work relatively more is not known and not further
investigated in the report.
The results show no signs of any long-term effects as regards sickness
absence, employment or health. It is important to note that the
absence of long-term effects at the individual level should not be
interpreted as the introduced time limits having no effect on the long-
term sickness absence level. On the contrary, from previous research
it has been concluded that the time limits in the Swedish sickness
insurance have increased return to work among those on sickness
absence and reduced the number of long-term sick absent individuals.