Research

A new CWCI study on Calif. workers' comp prescriptions shows the use of compound drugs, medical foods, and "co-packs" that combine prescription drugs and medical foods, increased sharply in the 2nd quarter of 2007 – coinciding with state regulators' crackdown on physician-dispensed repackaged drugs.

A CWCI study finds that most injured worker prescriptions in California are in the Medi-Cal fee schedule database that sets maximum reasonable pharmacy fees and helps control workers' comp costs, suggesting that other factors such as an increase in the number of scripts/claim, increases in Average Wholesale Prices used to calculate pharmacy fees, a shift toward more expensive drugs, and PBM contract rates and payments that exceed fee schedule allowances, may be responsible for recent growth in prescription drug costs.

California public self-insured losses continued to mount last year, despite declining claim volume, as claim severity (average loss per claim) increased for the fourth year in a row.

CWCI's latest Injury Score Card provides detailed data and graphics on California work injury claims involving degenerative, infective and metabolic joint disorders. Members and subscribers may log in to view the full Score Card and summary Bulletin.

Updated figures from CWCI research show continued growth in average amounts paid for medical services in California workers' comp, with payments for treatment, prescriptions and durable medical equipment, med-legal reports and medical management all trending up.

CWCI's latest injury score card provides detailed data on California workers' compensation carpal tunnel claims from accident years 2001 through 2011.