Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the TDI-DWC Research & Evaluation Group’s release of its 2023 Pharmacy Cost and Utilization Report, which analyzed pharmacy utilization and cost in the Texas workers’ comp system between 2009 and 2022 to capture data before and after the introduction of its formulary.
Key findings included that overall pharmacy service utilization decreased from 2009-22, with total pharmacy claims decreasing 57% (from about 170,000 to 73,000), the total number of prescriptions decreasing 73% (from about 1.7 million to 442,000), and average number of prescriptions per claim decreasing 38% from service year 2009 to 2022 (from about 10 to 6). Overall pharmacy service costs also decreased from 2009 to 2022, with total pharmacy cost declining 73% (from about $163.7 million to $44.1 million).