I received a welcome email from a colleague Friday with the news that one company has solved a problem of monumental proportions that has bedeviled many a payer, regulator, employer and claimant – the rampant abuse of opioids.
Imagine my surprise and delight. The $1.4 billion catastrophe that has driven up costs for employers, kept many injured workers out of work for far too long, devastated families and led to addiction and diversion – is now fixed.
Talk about making my day!
I eagerly opened the email link, my fingers tripping over each other in my haste to discover who had achieved this epic success. As I waited for the link to open, my mind was filled with wonder at the achievement! Who could have done this? How could we reward them? For truly this wondrous accomplishment deserves all the recognition the industry can possibly confer!!!
At last (it was actually microseconds, but such was my excitement that it seemed like it took FOREVER) a window opened, and the screen filled!
It was none other than Integrated Prescription Solutions, formerly known as WorkCompRx.
Amazed. Stunned. Blown away. That was my reaction.
My bright hopes instantly burned to ashes as I read the screen. Imagine my pure, unadulterated shock; the bottomless pit of disappointment filled with crushed hope into which I fell as I discovered the party that had claimed this transcendental success.
For IPS/WorkComp Rx is the same company that, a mere two years ago, had taken my copyrighted work and without my permission, used it in a marketing presentation. Moreover, this company mischaracterized the work in such a way that it appeared I endorsed their approach and business model, if not them specifically.
Now, perhaps they had changed their ways, and had actually found the Holy Grail of opioid abuse prevention.
Alas, it was not to be. As I read their website, it became abundantly clear that while the name had changed, the company had not. In fact, I’m not sure they have progressed at all over the last two years.
There was precious little about opioids, and no “solution” I could find. Nope, same old marketing-speak claiming best-in-class this and industry-leading that. A mention here and there of opioids and utilization control but nothing new, insightful, innovative or even remotely promising.
There are no miracle solutions, no instant results. There is just hard work, careful analysis, thorough attention to detail, and persistent efforts. That’s what it will take to reduce the problem of opioids in workers comp.
Anyone who tells you they’ve “solved” the problem either a) doesn’t understand the problem – at all; or, b) doesn’t think you do.
Nov
7
Mr. Paduda,
Once again, thank you for taking such a keen interest in the solutions IPS brings to the W/C PBM market. Your attack today seems fairly personal but I will not respond in kind as I found your writing unprofessional at best.
In 2009 you alleged that IPS somehow inappropriately used your publically available research. Very simply, that assertion was misguided. You also alleged in your blog that IPS’s was operating under a group health pharmacy network contract as an unfair business practice. This was simply inaccurate. Let me set the record straight. IPS indeed has a W/C specific pharmacy network agreement and appropriate W/C network pharmacy pricing.
In addition, your malicious attempt to smear IPS with the following invitation speaks volumes about your character; I know your intentions are not admirable, but what a great idea! I hope it is a huge success!!
You state “Also, if you would like a copy of Todd’s marketing presentation, email me at info@healthstrategyassoc.com. The presentation is not copyrighted, marked confidential or proprietary, or otherwise protected from distribution”.
As for the “shock” advertisement on solving the opioid abuse problem, I guess it did the job! GREAT PRESS!!!
In the area of law enforcement, if the new Chief of police promises to solve the growing inner-city gang violence, does that mean that inner city gang violence will miraculously go away, NO. What it does mean is that the Chief, in concert with the community, is committed to promoting best practices to solve the problem.
In the case of Opioid abuse in workers compensation, NCCI, WCRI, IAIABC, ACOEM, and many other authorities have clearly communicated the magnitude of this epidemic in America. So when the IAIABC stated “The ODG and ACOEM closed formularies are amongst the most aggressive approaches for managing and controlling the use of certain Schedule II drugs.” IPS took action. Our robust integrated web solution has now fully implemented both of the evidence based solutions and once fully deployed, do indeed solve the opioid abuse problem one claim at a time. That is a fact!
Thanks for spreading the good news about IPS and the wonderful WC PBM solutions it offers clients.
Sincerely,
Greg Todd,
CEO Integrated Prescription Solutions, Inc.
PS: We are preparing to launch a Revolutionary Solution that will STOP the growing threat of PHYSICIAN DISPENSED MEDICATION. We will make sure you are the first to get the press release as your free advertising is greatly appreciated!
Here are the facts.
Todd – “In 2009 you alleged that IPS somehow inappropriately used your publically available research. Very simply, that assertion was misguided”
Paduda – no, it wasn’t. the material was NOT publicly available, it was clearly marked “confidential and proprietary Distribution with express written permission only”. Yet Todd’s company duplicated my work and used it in their sales efforts without my permission – written or otherwise. This was both illegal and unethical.
Todd – “alleged in your blog that IPS’s was operating under a group health pharmacy network contract as an unfair business practice.”
Paduda – no, I didn’t. Here’s the original post – https://www.joepaduda.com/archives/001671.html
Todd – “your malicious attempt to smear IPS with the following invitation speaks volumes about your character; I know your intentions are not admirable, but what a great idea! I hope it is a huge success!! You state “Also, if you would like a copy of Todd’s marketing presentation, email me at info@healthstrategyassoc.com.”
Paduda – no, it wasn’t. I don’t see how offering to provide interested readers with a copy of Todd’s marketing material is a “malicious attempt to smear”. In fact it allows readers to make their own judgment.
Todd – “Our robust integrated web solution has now fully implemented both of the evidence based solutions [ACOEM and ODG] and once fully deployed, do indeed solve the opioid abuse problem one claim at a time. That is a fact! ”
Paduda – no, it isn’t.
Several points. First IPS’ marketing literature did not talk about “solving” the problem or “one claim at a time”. Here’s a direct quote: “We Have Solved Opioid Abuse! Stop by our booth or contact us today to find out how we have put an end to this epidemic for our clients.”
If anyone is so naive as to think that implementing clinical guidelines in some IT application is going to “solve the abuse problem” they are sorely mistaken.
If it were that easy, the PBMs who implemented similar technology-based screening and guideline integration solutions back in 2008 – 2009 would have “fixed” the problem.
Fact is, PBMs, payers, and regulators who really understand the issue know this is a multi-dimensional problem requiring constant focus on all aspects of the issue and all areas of PBM operation, in addition to working closely with the claims and medical management department on solutions and adjusters/case managers on specific claims – at each and every payer. Not to mention the wide variation among and between states, only some of which “accept” guidelines or allow them to be used in the clinical/claim management process.