In a letter to the Committee on Ways and Means of the US House of Representatives, UWC requested that the committee take note of state efforts to address opioid overuse among injured employees through a number of initiatives such as evidence-based treatment guidelines, closed formularies and system monitoring.
UWC further recommended that the committee consider measures to assure consistency in treatment of individuals who are Medicare beneficiaries whose treatment plans and drug formularies were initially developed under the applicable workers’ compensation law. A significant number of Medicare beneficiaries began opioid treatment as the result of injuries or illnesses that arose in the course of employment. Individuals who are receiving dosages under treatment plans approved under the Workers’ Compensation laws or plans should not have such plans interrupted simply because they become Medicare beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should recognize workers’ compensation treatment plans and prescription formularies in determining amounts to be set-aside in workers’ compensation settlements to cover future medical costs related to the injury or illness.
The UWC letter may be accessed here.
The House Ways and Means Committee continues to gather information on opioids through specific links at wm.opioids@mail.house.gov or wmopioidsubmissions@mail.house.gov
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