Hurricane Opioid Stalls in Kentucky

Most southern hurricanes stall-out long before they make it to the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, we have been fighting the opioid storm for longer than I care to remember. However, a new study published by the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) points out how Kentucky injured workers are doing better after the 2012 “Pill Mill” House Bill 1 legislation.
The WCRI reviewed over 21,000 injuries and 91,000 prescriptions, which represented 44% of Kentucky’s workers’ compensation claims. Here is what they discovered comparing pre- and post-HB1 for injured workers with pain:

 

• Opioid dispensing down;
• Non-opioid analgesics up;
• Largest reductions in younger workers and the non-surgical category.

 

The Pill Mill Bill is not a panacea, and Eastern Kentucky continues to be a high usage area. Nevertheless, Kentuckians are doing better, and it is a storm we must weather.

 

Want to learn more? The KWCEA Annual Conference on December 7 and 8, at the Louisville Marriott East is the place to be. Early registration is open!

 

Call us. We can do better.

William Faris, JD
Chief Executive Officer
502-495-5040
william.faris@omca.biz
www.omca.biz

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