Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the release of Healthcare Solutions’ 2015 Drug Trends Report, which covers changes in workers’ comp drug costs and utilization patterns in 2014 compared to 2013, and also provides insights on key cost drivers like compound and specialty drugs, and an overview of key regulatory changes impacting workers’ comp programs.
The report noted that HCS saw AWP cost inflation increase by 8.6%, but due to changes in drug mix and utilization as well as other initiatives, total pharmacy spend increase was kept to 4.1%. On an interesting note from the opioid front, hydrocodone/acetaminophen combination products (HCPs) notably saw a 20% reduction in utilization after being rescheduled in October of 2014.
Find out more (including a link to the free report!) by clicking here!