The Epidemic of 2013

The dictionary defines epidemic as “spreading rapidly and extensively by infections among many individuals in an area”. For a synonym they should just say — See Opioid.

Writing in Insurance Journal, authors Denise Johnson and Don Jergler make the following points about opioids and workers’ comp:

• Medical costs currently comprise 60% of a workers’ comp claim and will increase to 70% of claim by 2020.

• Opioids make up 15% to 20% of medical costs in long term claims, while treatment guidelines specify only a 2 to 4 week time frame for opioid use after surgery or substantial injury.

• Opioids make up 3% of medical costs in short term claims.

• Physician-dispensed drugs, many of which are opioids, are 60% to 300% higher than in a retail pharmacy.

If you’re not on offense, you’re on defense. OMCA has been on the offensive against drug/narcotic abuse since our inception, long before it was considered an epidemic.

Take the offensive. Quit playing catch up.

Call Us. We can do better.

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