At the IAIABC Annual Convention, Nicholas Trego, Clinical Operations Manager with the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation discussed their strategies to reduce inappropriate opioid consumption on claims. The State of Ohio is the monopolistic workers’ compensation carrier. The program started in 2014 when they gained access to the Ohio PDMP. This allowed them to access […]

At the 2017 Business Insurance/CLM Workers’ Compensation Conference, a panel discussed the problems with marijuana, opioids, and pain. The panel was: Jennifer Saddy – Director Workers’ Compensation, American Airlines Teresa Bartlett – SVP Medical Director, Sedgwick Bert Randall – Attorney, Franklin Prokopik PC Opioids The opioid crisis in the U.S. costs our society over $55 […]

Medical treatment guidelines can improve worker health by helping doctors and nurses deliver proper care. Multiple pain guidelines exist and, as their use grows, there is a greater need for claims managers to learn how they are best applied. This session at the 2016 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference illustrated the purpose of chronic […]

The speakers for this 2016 WCI conference session included: Nat Levine, Independent Medical Practice Consultant Marcos A. Iglesias, MD, MMM, FAAFP, FACOEM, Vice President and National Medical Director, The Hartford Fire Insurance Company In addition to the ever-increasing costs of opioid drug therapy, research shows a link between the therapy and a longer duration of […]

Startling statistics, trends and illustrations reveal an undeniable prescription drug problem in the United States. This session at WCI’s 2016 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference focused on chronic pain management, including alternative and advanced treatment methods being used to alleviate pain and restore quality of life among those who have become ill or have been injured […]

Industry keynote speaker, Vincent T. Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer at PMA Companies, kicked off WCI’s 2016 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference with an update on the workers’ compensation industry. The workers’ compensation industry has been around for 100 years and continues to evolve. The industry has had to adapt with a changing landscape that […]

At the 2016 ACE Conference, Caryn Siebert with Knight Insurance Group presented a session discussing the challenges and solutions involved in prescription management. In 2014, opioid overdoses killed over 28,000 patients. From 1999 – 2013, the number of opioid prescriptions quadrupled. Earlier this year, President Obama called for additional federal government funding to prevent opioid […]

At the 2016 WCRI Annual Issues & Research Conference, Dongchun Wang and Vennela Thumula from WCRI discussed physician dispensing and opioid use. The studies they discussed have not yet been published, so the results are subject to change. Physician Dispensing In the last few years, 20 states have implemented reforms targeting the pricing of physician […]

At the 2015 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference, Adam L. Seidner, M.D., Global Medical Director, Travelers Insurance Co. and Silvia Sacalis, PharmD, VP Clinical Services, Healthesystems presented how a comprehensive view of an injured worker’s medical history and treatment course ensures appropriate claims decisions, resulting in optimal care and functional restoration. Silvia started the […]

This session at the 24th Annual National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference illustrated how Walmart analyzed its overall prescription cost drivers, found alternatives and reduced the prescribing of other pharmaceuticals threatening employee health within their organization. Speakers included: Mark Pew, Senior Vice President at PRIUM Janice Van Allen, Director of Workers’ Compensation at Walmart Stores, […]