Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
With Congressional efforts to repeal/replace/revise ACA behind us for now, it’s time to consider what all this means for workers’ comp. First up – Medicaid expansion Currently 32 states have expanded Medicaid; 19 have not. Expect more states to consider … Continue reading Healthcare reform implications for workers’ comp, Part 1
Read More...Lots happening this August – clearly not everyone is on holiday. One personal note – I joined the Board of Commonwealth Care Alliance, a not-for-profit healthplan serving Medicaid and dual-eligible clients in Massachusetts. CCA takes care of the toughest population … Continue reading Tuesday catch-up
Read More...Is getting a lot better, a lot faster than the rest of the world’s. thanks to you. I’m in the midst of conducting the 14th Annual Survey of Prescription Drug Management in Workers’ Comp, a project I began way back … Continue reading Work comp’s drug problem
Read More...“If we didn’t come up with the idea, it isn’t worth considering.” “That can’t be a good idea, we didn’t think of it.” “Why would we listen to anyone from outside our company; we’re the biggest/best/most experienced/industry leader.” Those are just … Continue reading The ignorance of arrogance
Read More...Outside the workers’ comp world, opioid utilization and costs are increasing significantly, driven by greater use of long-acting opioids. According to a Prime Therapeutics study of 15 million commercial insurance claims, short-acting opioid prescriptions dropped over a 15-month period, but … Continue reading On controlling opioid use, work comp leads the way
Read More...I can’t remember a busier and more portentous week in healthcare in the last thirty years. Last few weeks, in fact. A lot happened in the rest of the world while we (at least us wonks) were obsessing over the latest … Continue reading Friday catch-up
Read More...Several states have seen precipitous decreases in the amount of opioids dispensed per claim. KY, NY, MD, and MI all saw reductions in excess of 35%. In every one of the states WCRI studed, at least 30% of patients with … Continue reading Opioid use in work comp has dropped – and cannabis does reduce chronic pain
Read More...Frank is a highly experienced work comp broker, consultant and educator who is as subtle as a tank. A vocal and energetic advocate for his employer clients, he is nonetheless far from reluctant to challenge those clients to think creatively, differently, … Continue reading Frank Pennachio – one of work comp’s good people
Read More...With Republicans getting closer to repealing ACA, it’s time to consider how this would impact workers’ compensation. I’ve discussed the possible impact of ACA here; net is the big increase in the insured/employed population may be at least partially responsible … Continue reading ACA Deathwatch – The Impact on Workers’ Comp
Read More...There are some differing opinions on this issue; I heard from several colleagues with different views on wage replacement caps; two somewhat different perspectives are provided below. [original post and reader comments are here] From Bruce Wood – former Vice President … Continue reading Why is work comp wage replacement capped, part 2
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