Opioids, physician dispensing are targets of state legislators

"Investigate and take a position on approaches to curb escalating opioid-related insurance costs" is among the charges adopted by a panel of state lawmakers.

Members of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators' Workers' Compensation Committee agreed to the 2013 mandate at the recent NCOIL annual meeting.

The panel addressed the issues of opioid abuse and physician dispensing/repackaged drugs. For both they agreed to continue meeting and may adopt model state legislation.

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On the issue of opioid abuse in the workers' comp system, NCOIL held a special meeting that:

Investigated causes and consequences of abuse and national trends.
Outlined an array of state initiatives to address the issues.
Heard a case study perspective on Kentucky's new prescription drug monitoring legislation.

The committee later discussed possible options for model legislation, including one from the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions on medical treatment guidelines. The panel planned a special session for the spring 2013 NCOIL meeting that will expand the issue to other areas of the health care system. During that meeting the committee may lay the groundwork for developing a model act.

The committee will also considered model legislation to require repackaged drugs to reflect average wholesale prices. Members discussed ways various states are addressing costs and other concerns about physician dispensing of medications and repackaged drugs. The panel adopted the following charge for 2013: Continue to investigate medical cost trend and containment strategies, such as regarding physician dispensing and drug repackaging.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

December 17, 2012

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