A very funny edition of HWR is up at Health News Review, Gary Schwitzer’s always insightful blog on health news.
Well worth the visit!
Jan
5
Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Author: Joe Paduda
Dec
29
It’s been a long year – productive, busy, but most of all loooong. Time for some R&R.
I’m gone on family vacation till January 5; have a great holiday and see you in the new year.
Dec
23
Today’s WorkCompCentral arrived with the welcome news [subscription required] that South Carolina’s Workers Comp Commission has capped the price on repackaged drugs at the price set by the underlying manufacturer.
This is good news indeed, and a well-deserved helping of coal for drug repackagers and physician dispensing companies who add no value while sucking money out of the system.
This follows similar action earlier this year in Georgia, and should have a significant impact on employers’ costs in the Palmetto State. According to NCCI, physician dispensed drugs accounted for about 27% of all drug costs in SC – but that was back in 2009. It’s highly likely they’re up well over 30% by now.
Other states that have put caps on physician dispensed drugs or otherwise limited the practice include California, New York, Georgia, Texas, and Massachusetts. Connecticut is looking at the issue, as is Maryland.
The big problem continues to be Florida, where physician dispensed drugs now account for over half of all drug costs – and price levels continue to head for the stratosphere. Sources indicate legislation designed to limit price gouging will pass the House, but it’s up in the air in the Senate.
For more info on exactly how much cost these companies add to the system, click here.
What does this mean for you?
Lower costs and improved patient safety in South Carolina is great news indeed!
Dec
22
I’m all about accountability – and that means each year I have to report how I did on my predictions for the preceding twelve months. Not always a happy time, especially when it’s one of those “learning experiences.”.
Yep, it’s time for the annual review of my predictions for the year gone by – an annual event more likely to humble than honor your faithful author, while providing a bit of entertainment for you, dear reader.
So, somewhat reluctantly, here goes.
1. Business will pick up – a lot.
This referred to the work comp sector; it looks like my outlook was overly optimistic. While there’s been an uptick in initial claims, and severity continues to increase, and premiums are going up a bit, it’s only “a bit.” Have to score this a wrong…
2. We’ll see several new comp writers enter the market as capital comes in, providing increased underwriting capacity in selected markets.
I’d have to score this as a partial; there is plenty of capital in the comp market but not much in the way of “new writers”.
3. Sedgwick will continue to snap up TPA operations, supply-chain pieces, and managed care vendors
A definite “correct”, as the nation’s largest TPA, Sedgwick continues to grow in part by “vertical integration”, buying workers comp service companies and other TPAs. The latest deals include XChanging and SRS.
4. The exploding growth of opioid usage in narcotics in comp will become even more prominent.
Another “correct”. The research published by CWCI, NCCI, WCRI and individual PBMs has documented all too well the sad state of affairs. And if this wasn’t enough, there’s been reports of opioid-related claimant deaths in the mass media as well.
5. Obesity’s impact on work comp costs will gain more attention, as additional research will show significantly higher costs
Another yes, as well-documented by our colleagues at Workers’ Comp Insider and excellent research from NCCI
6. Congress will not solve the Medicare physician reimbursement conundrum,
This has to rate as a “gimme”; there’s no evidence Congress will ever solve ANY problem, much less one as knotty as Medicare physician reimbursement.
7. Hospital and facility costs, both inpatient and out, are going to get a lot more attention in payers’ C suites.
I can only comment on this anecdotally, but several payers I work with are quite alarmed about the cost of facility fees, especially in Illinois, California and Florida. That said, there hasn’t been the public discussion I thought would happen when this issue really gets traction. So, I’ll give this a “not really”.
8. We’ll see more litigation around ‘silent PPOs’ in more states.
Fortunately, this looks to be a “not really.” Madison County Illinois is one of the hotbeds of class action suits alleging silent ppo violations; most recently a federal judge refused to certify a class in a silent ppo case.
9. Social media is going to make its presence felt broadly and deeply in comp, in ways obvious and not, good and bad
Again, no question – yes. Whether it’s the usage of Facebook, Twitter, and other vehicles by payers looking for information on claimants, or service companies using social media for marketing purposes, or industry wide discussion groups (Mark Walls of Safety National’s LinkedIn Group, Bob Wilson of WorkersCompensation.com), or blogs (led by the originator, Workers Comp Insider) breaking news about developments in the market, there’s no doubt social media is a large and growing presence in comp.
10. The impact of health reform on workers comp will happen in ways mostly subtle.
Absolutely. While reform is a long way from full implementation, the added coverage of 2.5 million young people due to the expansion of parental coverage to children under 26, greatly expanded use of electronic medical records and e-prescribing, and increase in funding for medical research of comparative effectiveness are all making a difference.
What’s the result?
Well, six corrects and four “not corrects” – better than a great baseball hitter, but not what I’d hoped. (That said, a couple of the “not corrects” may get partial credit)
Next up – predictions for 2012. I’m off to get the crystal ball polished up at the local gemologist…
Dec
21
With the end of the year fast approaching, the dispute between pharmacy giant Walgreens and equally-giant PBM Express Scripts shows no sign of resolution. There’s been no disclosure of any discussions for
Meanwhile, the contretemps is already starting to hurt the retail chain, as Walgreens announced earnings were lower than projected in part due to the Express Scripts issue; Walgreens share price declined over six percent on the news.
This is a big deal – Express accounts for over $5 billion in annual sales at Walgreens 7800 stores, and losing the pharmacy scripts means patients won’t be coming in and picking up toiletries, batteries, and consumables while they’re waiting for their scripts to be filled.
So, will Walgreens bend?
I’d have to say “probably, but not definitely” yes.
Here’s why.
As Express’ members need refills, they’ll head back to Walgreens only to find their card doesn’t work. They’ll then take their scripts – and their other purchases – elsewhere. This won’t have much of an impact until later in January, so I’d expect Walgreens and ESI to work out a deal sometime before mid-February.
The problem Walgreens has is there is a CVS right across the street, and a Rite-Aid on the other corner, and a WalMart down the road next to the Safeway, all of whom still work with Express. So there really isn’t any incentive for the member to protest if they can’t get their script filled at Walgreens.
There’s quite a different take for workers comp claimants. There isn’t any deductible or copay, and Walgreens will (very likely) continue to fill scripts for Express’ workers comp claimants and send the bills to the insurers on paper. The chain knows the claims are good, and they know they’ll get paid. Actually they’ll get paid more as reimbursement will be at fee schedule and not at the deep discount Express currently enjoys at Walgreens.
That said, I do think it is ‘when’ and not “if” the issue gets resolved.
What does this mean for you?
Hope it gets worked out, but prepare – just in case.
Dec
19
Among the howls of indignation coming from anti-health reform legislators and more strident Presidential aspirants one can often hear the outrage about “faceless government bureaucrats” rationing medical care to our elderly.
(we’ll leave aside that many of the howlers are the same ones screaming about out of control Federal entitlement spending…for now).
Turns out those faceless bureaucrats will likely never be seated, as all 15 members of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) have to be approved by the Senate. Given the current toxic environment for appointees (see Donald Berwick et al), it’s highly likely Senators opposing health reform will do anything in their rather considerable power to block all appointments.
That’s unfortunate indeed, as the Board is one of the few real cost saving mechanisms we have. Here’s a brief outline of their responsibilities excerpted from an excellent piece in Health Affairs.
– if the Medicare chief actuary finds that the growth rate will exceed [a relatively low] target, the actuary must determine how much Medicare spending growth should be reduced. IPAB will then have to recommend specific steps that will curb the rate of growth in Medicare spending.
– The total amount of the Medicare savings IPAB can propose, and the type of savings, are both limited by law. The total amount of these savings cannot exceed 0.5 percent of total Medicare outlays in 2015; 1 percent of outlays in 2016; 1.25 percent in 2017; and 1.5 percent in 2018 and thereafter.
– IPAB cannot propose any recommendation to “ration” care; raise revenues; increase beneficiary premiums or cost sharing; restrict benefits; or alter rules for Medicare eligibility.
– The law directs the panel to give priority to measures that extend the solvency of the program, improve beneficiaries’ access to care, and improve the health delivery system and health outcomes, among others.
– IPAB can propose savings in any part of Medicare, except hospital payments in the short run. [pharmacy is also excluded, much to my dismay]
– Congress has the option of passing alternative legislation, but it must achieve the same results in terms of the magnitude of savings. If Congress does not act, the secretary of HHS is required to implement IPAB’s proposals by August 15.
And there you have it – an advisory board that is tasked with doing what Congress can so obviously not do – control Medicare cost growth – without rationing care, reducing benefits, or changing eligibility.
What does this mean for you?
Is there a better way to achieve real cost control in Medicare that has a chance of becoming signed legislation?
Dec
16
There’s been one consistent finding among all the polls and surveys seeking opinions on health reform: most respondents don’t know much about it and there are many misperceptions and misconceptions about reform.
The good folk at Kaiser Family Foundation have put together an interactive tool to help remedy that situation. The YouToon application shows how reform will impact employers – large, small, and mid-sized; individuals and families, the well-off, middle class, and poor.
It’s easy to understand and a quick read too.
There’s a more “you-specific” tool here that is focused on individuals and families, not employers.
And the Washington Post has an interactive site where you can plug in details on income, family size, source of insurance, and marriage status and get specific info on how reform affects you – specifically – and what, if any, tax impact it has.
Dec
15
Do you want to spend more taxpayer dollars on Medicare? For care that is demonstrably more expensive?
That’s the question before us, and one that (I hope) we can discuss collegially.
Here’s the issue. The House passed legislation that would overturn part of the health reform(known as Section 6001) bill by requiring Medicare reimburse care delivered by new or expanded doctor-owned hospitals. According to the Congressional Budget Office this change would increase federal spending by $300 million over 10 years; undoubtedly private health care costs would also increase, probably by more (cost per day is higher in the private sector).
The bill doesn’t prohibit building new or expanding existing facilities, it just affects Medicare’s certification of new or expanded facilities. New/expanded physician owned facilities can still get certified but there are very stiff requirements currently in place intended to limit building to areas that are truly underserved.
There’s abundant research indicating physician-owned hospitals cost more, treat more, and tout better outcomes because they tend to treat healthy patients with good insurance coverage.
Here’s a series of quotes from Economic Trends:
– the entrance of [physician owned hospitals] POHs and limited-service hospitals to communities is associated with significant growth in total hospital volumes and total hospital spending (Lewin Group, 2004).
– In a related study, Mitchell (2007) found that the entry of a physician-owned orthopedic hospital between 1999 and 2004 drove up market area utilization of complex spinal fusion procedures by 121 percent.
By the end of the period, Mitchell concluded that 91 percent of orthopedic procedures were performed in POHs with the residual nine percent being completed by full-service community hospitals. [orthopedics is one of the most profitable areas of care for all hospitals, by removing these procedures from community hospitals the POH reduced the community hospitals’ margins and likely drove outcomes down]
– In addition to reducing community hospital utilization, it has been concluded that POHs generate higher costs for health care in an area. For example, an analysis by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) found that heart, orthopedic and surgical specialty hospitals had higher inpatient costs per discharge than community hospitals (Lewin Group, 2004).
Yes, construction would generate jobs – in the trades over the short term and in the health care sector over the longer term. That’s good – for the investors, owners, and employees.
But these facilities also increase Medicare’s costs, while forcing other facilities to cost-shift to private insureds to make up for lost margin.
What does this mean for you?
Depends on what you want: A “free market” or higher taxes and higher group health premiums?
Dec
14
Bob Wilson of WorkersCompensation.com fame has a new group on his LinkedIn page – the Friends of Sandy Blunt.
This isn’t one of those exclusive, fancy clubs, merely a virtual gathering of like-minded intelligent and insightful folk who share a mutual respect and admiration for Sandy.
I’m honored to be one of the founding members, and look forward to seeing you there.
For those who don’t know Sandy, here’s a quick note on why you’ll love the guy.
The former head of North Dakota’s state workers comp fund has been – and continues to be – vilified by a few people who obviously don’t know the guy. (more on the appeal in a future post).
Prosecuted for ‘misuse of funds’ by a rogue Prosecutor who withheld exculpatory evidence, Sandy’s life has been ruined because he approved payments for balloons, small ($5 – $10) gift cards, sweets, and cakes for employee recognition events, along with refusing to seek repayment for relocation expenses for an employee terminated for performance (which was legal and appropriate).
Well, I do know the guy, and there’s plenty wrong with him. Here’s the real scoop on this horrible guy/abuser of the public trust/scofflaw/criminal mastermind…
Well, he worked for George HW Bush in the White House (our politics are pretty different, but I keep hoping he’ll come over to the bright side).
He’s an avid, very well informed – and extremely loyal – Cleveland sports fan. (Gotta respect that, even if you don’t understand it)
He isn’t a golfer. (Me neither, so that’s actually a big plus)
I don’t think he can dance.
He went to one of those fancy Eastern big-name business schools (Wharton, I think).
He is such an Eagle Scout (which he actually is) that he won’t let his kids download music from file-sharing services because it is unethical. I’m sure the young Blunts think he’s horribly unfair.
For a non-IT guy, he’s pretty good at tech stuff, making me think he was an AV club guy in his high school days (and no, that’s not meant pejoratively).
Sandy was COO of Ohio’s Bureau of Workers Comp before he was recruited to professionalize the NoDak state fund (so much for that honest effort). By all accounts he was well-liked, and more importantly, very well respected in that role. But still, he was a workers comp exec, and you KNOW what those people are like…
He’s unremittingly positive, unerringly cheerful, and undeniably an upbeat person. Despite what the ‘criminal justice’ system has done to ruin his life, Sandy’s always positive.
I don’t get it.
So – click here and join the party.
Dec
13
A doctor prescribes massive doses of opioids for a claimant; that prescription is denied; another physician writes the exact same prescription, the claimant gets the drugs, dies, and the insurance company that paid for the drugs is liable.
Only in workers comp.
I’ve received no fewer than eight emails and references to this in the last few days; all express outrage – outrage that any physician would prescribe these drugs, outrage that the second prescription wasn’t rejected, outrage that the doc that wrote the second prescription was the sister of the first prescriber, outrage that the insurance company is somehow deemed liable for the death.
I won’t get into the court’s decision re liability; Roberto Ceniceros has that discussion covered here. That’s dealing with the result. What makes me insane is the simple reality that the claimant got drugs they never should have received.
Because the system – denying inappropriate care through the state-regulated utilization review process – worked. The pharmacy that received the initial script refused to fill it.
Here’s a few more details that add even more concern.
The claimant was prescribed fentanyl patches which were supposed to last two days per patch. Two days after the script was written, there were only four patches left in the box. According to court records, “Subsequent toxicology reports revealed that Fentanyl alone was sufficient to account for death, in even a tolerant user, as Decedent was [sic] certainly was. Decedent died from drug intoxication due to an overdose of Fentanyl prescribed for his work injury.”
This was in addition to “Propoxyphene, which is [sic] synthetic narcotic analgesic, frequently compounded with non-narcotic analgesics; Oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic, often compounded with other ingredients such as non-narcotic analgesics…”
Oh, and the doc who prescribed the drugs that killed the claimant worked in her brother’s practice; was referred the claimant by her brother, who told her to “handle” the situation; knew the UR determination had rejected her brother’s initial prescription; yet wrote the exact same script – for Sonata, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Fentora, Docusate, and Lyrica.
What does this mean for you?
It is abundantly clear that opioid usage in workers comp is a national disaster. PBMs and payers have to start – or step up – screening for overuse and denying scripts that are not medically necessary. Physicians exhibiting these prescribing patterns have to be very carefully scrutinized. PBMs and payers have to work together to identify claimants at high risk for addiction, assess those claimants, and get them into treatment.
And we need to do this NOW.
Court decision is here.