Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the announcement from State Fund in California that they have managed to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions for the injured workers they provide care for by 82% since 2014.
State Fund noted its opioid reduction program is built around focuses on three key areas, including early prevention and intervention in new cases; relapse and delayed recovery response programs; and reduction of chronic opioid usage in existing cases. The program also includes peer-to-peer physician reviews; education for injured workers and treating physicians; and support for patients who are struggling to stop opioid use. State Fund also noted that as a result, it saw a nearly 80% decrease in the number of claimants on any opioid prescription from 2014-21, and a 4.6% decrease from 2020-2021; and saw a 91% decrease in total opioid spend from 2014-2021 and a 17% decrease in spend from 2020-2021.