Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
The results for the second quarter are in, and Coventry’s doing well. For now, we’ll focus on the work comp sector; if you are looking for any insights into Chariman Allen Wise’ views on comp, you won’t find them in … Continue reading Coventry’s Q2 work comp performance
Read More...NCCI released their latest research on the use of opioids in workers comp, and the news is chilling indeed. And there’s one outstanding puzzling conclusion. Here are a few of the key take-aways. – Per-claim narcotic costs have increased (almost … Continue reading NCCI’s new narcotics report – the highlights
Read More...An article in Physicians News yesterday suggested providers look to workers comp to make up revenue losses from Medicare and commercial payers’ declining reimbursement. That wasn’t stated explicitly, but you don’t have to be a code-breaker to get author Franklin … Continue reading Cost shifting to work comp – sure, go ahead!
Read More...Tis the season for drug trend reports. Recent releases from PMSI, Express Scripts (ESI), and Progressive Medical show an ever-increasing level of sophistication and growing insight into cost drivers in workers comp pharmacy. Moreover, the layout, graphics, use of charts … Continue reading Work comp drug trends reports – tis the season
Read More...If patients are prescribed opioids, ‘best practices’ calls for – assessment of risk for dependency and addiction; – completion of an Opioid Agreement: – ongoing assessment of pain and functionality; and – random urine drug testing (UDT). This last has … Continue reading The drug testing controversy
Read More...The bill to stop outrageous markups on physician-dispensed drugs is all but dead, a victim of a highly effective, and very well-coordinated lobbying and public relations campaign financed by wealthy opponents who used employers’ own dollars to kill the bill. … Continue reading Higher work comp costs for Florida employers are coming
Read More...After posting last week on the politicization of the physician dispensing issue in Hawai’i, I heard from a number of stakeholders alarmed by that – and other issues. Chris Brigham, MD, has been following what can only be described as … Continue reading Hawaii’s (likely) evisceration of the workers’ comp system
Read More...Florida appears poised to restrict overcharging for physician dispensing of repackaged drugs to workers comp patients, so dispensing companies are looking for greener pastures. One that looks promising indeed is Hawai’i, where physician dispensing exploded onto the scene last year, … Continue reading Money buying bad policy – the Hawai’ian version
Read More...To date, Automated Healthcare Solutions and other companies owned by their principals have donated over $3 million to various politicians, campaigns, and political organizations. Automated Healthcare Solutions and their sister companies are heavily involved in physician dispensing to workers comp … Continue reading $3 million and counting
Read More...Okay, here’s the last of my predictions for the work comp business 2012… 7. The physician dispensing cost control bill currently pending in Florida will pass. After several years of political intrigue, huge campaign contributions from companies making enormous profits … Continue reading What’s up for 2012 – predictions for work comp in the Next Year – Part Two
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