Workers' Comp
Blog
When are Specialty Drugs, Biologics, and Biosimilars Used in Workers’ Compensation?
October 21, 2018
For workers’ compensation, specialty drugs are prescribed to treat conditions either directly or indirectly related to workplace injuries or illnesses. Directly related conditions, such as HIV and hepatitis, might occur when individuals are exposed to contaminated material (i.e. those working in healthcare or emergency service settings). Indirectly related conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, are common, and the subsequent work disability and/or potential of being linked to this group of illnesses is significant. Other indirectly related conditions that could be compensable in workers’ compensation are those aggravated by a workplace injury, including multiple sclerosis. The impact specialty drugs will have on workers’ compensation claims will depend largely on the demographics of the insured population.