Workers’ Comp Numbers Indicate Opioid Rx Decline

(Fall 2017) Examination of 26 state workers’ compensation systems suggests that the prescribing of opioids for chronic pain among injured workers is declining. A Workers Compensation Research Institute report revealed a drop of over 4% in claims with a long-term opioid regimen in both Kentucky and New York. The time frames studied were 2010-2012 and 2013-2015. Similar claims were reduced by 2-3% in Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota and Tennessee. Above-average rates surfaced in California, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.

Study authors point out the absence of drug screenings or psychological evaluations for injured workers who took prescription opioids for chronic pain. In fact, in 19 of the 26 states studied, less than 10% of such patients were given psychological assessments.

Though not reported in this Institute report, the Ohio Department of Workers’ Compensation reports that between 2011 (the year they instituted a pain management program) and 2015, the daily doses of opiates funded by BWC dropped 41%.

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