A research survey shows that in 2016 employers spent 7.6% less in workers’ compensation drug costs compared to 2015. More control over drugs such as powerful opioids, better integration with pharmacy benefits managers (PBM) and prescriber interventions are among the reasons employers spent less. Many pharmacy benefits management company studies revealed the same decrease in spending.

The current decrease, meanwhile, was not related to a lower number of claims, the report states. As a matter of fact, the number of workers’ compensation claims either increases or remains the same over the years. According to the survey, opioids remained the no. 1 payer concern. The report states that workers’ compensation payers pent $1.54 billion on opioids in 2015, which was 13% of the total spent on opioids in the United States. The report compared this to the total workers’ compensation medical spend of less than 1.25% nationwide.

All payers surveyed have opioid management programs to limit the number of opioid prescriptions, according to the statement. In addition, optimizing the use of network pharmacy and home delivery has saved some extra costs to the system. Home delivery are believed to provide greater convenience for injured workers who may have mobility issues as a result of their work-related injury.

Furthermore, employers in 2016 maximized the use of generic drugs to increase savings. Yet the debate remains whether generic drugs are the best treatments for injured workers. There are various scenarios where injured workers were denied an effective higher-cost medicine because a generic drug option exists. Meanwhile, reactions to PBM consolidations were mixed: some respondents hoped mergers would bring better pricing and more clinical capabilities, while others express concern that the lack of competition would breed complacency.

There is a sense of acceptance along with a little wariness about potential customer service issues. The consolidations of the industry has spawned customer service problems because the people-based operations were replaced with offshored or technology-enabled operations.

The Poirier Law Firm’s goal is to make sure that all of our injured workers promptly and efficiently, receive his/her necessary medical treatment. So if you or a family member have been hurt at work and have any issues with promptly receiving medical treatment, call Poirier Law today for help and for a free consultation. The Poirier Law Firm has represented injured workers for over 16 years. You deserve to have a zealous advocate in your corner!