Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Prescription Monitoring Programs are state-based electronic information systems that collect and deliver information about the drugs dispensed to patients, the prescribers thereof, and the pharmacies that do the dispensing. Each state now has legislation enabling a PMP, with New Hampshire … Continue reading What’s a Prescription Monitoring Program and why you should care
Read More...A California physician has been charged with murder in the deaths of three patients who died of fatal overdoses. Dr. Hsiu-Ying “Lisa” Tseng, arrested earlier this week in Los Angeles, has been linked to five more fatal overdoses. Tseng’s arrest … Continue reading Prosecuting drug-dealing docs
Read More...Every year any number of states change their workers comp regulations, sometimes a lot, sometimes just a minor tweak. This year there’s some of both. Illinois has to be on the top of anyone’s list – the changes passed last … Continue reading Work comp – 2012 regulatory changes
Read More...I received an email from an individual who attended a “hearing” on a workers comp bill in Hawai’i. It’s compelling for two reasons – it clearly illustrates the comp system’s vulnerability to manipulation by those seeking ever-greater profits and ever-lesser … Continue reading The Hawaiian political charade
Read More...I wasn’t there, but certainly heard enough about it to wish I was. I’m referring to CWCI’s annual meeting held yesterday in San Francisco, a meeting that might well have been subtitled “Opioids and the Doctors who prescribe them”. The … Continue reading Docs and drugs – details on the ‘high prescribers’
Read More...Several states have implemented prescription drug monitoring programs designed to identify potentially problematic pharmacies, physicians, or patients – those dispensing/prescribing/getting drugs that could cause significant problems. Florida’s new Governor, the health care expert Rick Scott, thinks Florida shouldn’t have one, … Continue reading Florida’s addiction problem – Rick Scott
Read More...Mike Whitely of WorkCompCentral’s piece [subscription required] this morning about Miami-Dade Schools’ solution to the high cost of repackaged drugs should be required reading for any employer or insurer operating in the Sunshine State. As noted here and elsewhere, a … Continue reading Florida’s solution to the high cost of repackaged drugs
Read More...Update – parts of this post may be incorrect or mischaracterize the nature of AHCS’ business. I’m trying to get AHCS to respond to my request for information and help me better understand their business model. Original post follows It’s … Continue reading UPDATE – Repackaging drugs in comp; the wild west indeed!
Read More...I attended a meeting of work comp insurance execs in DC yesterday that addressed, among other topics, the dynamic situation in Texas, fee schedules for drugs, pending Federal legislation and the potential impact on comp, and the Gulf oil spill … Continue reading Regulation, Legislation, and Unintended Consequences
Read More...In 2004, California implemented a set of far-reaching reforms to its workers comp system, including several specifically aimed at cutting medical costs. One of the more drastic changes changed the pharmacy fee schedule from one based on a significant multiple … Continue reading Pharmacy costs in California work comp – time to reform the reform
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