Workers' Compensation Glossary of Terms and Definitions
Are you new to the workers' compensation industry or want a refresher on common industry terms? Download our Workers' Compensation Glossary of Terms to learn the definitions of terms such as prior authorization and pharmacy benefit management.
Top 5 Opioid Medication Trends in 2018
1 MIN READ
Overall, 2018 showed favorable trends for opioid use with declines in both utilization and cost. Understanding the top opioid medications being filled and impacting spend can help guide decision-making and aid in identifying opportunities for intervention particularly through formulary controls, utilization management strategies, and through insight into regulatory changes and juris-specific rule application.
Aggregate Top Therapeutic Classes by Age of Claim in 2018
1 MIN READ
The types of medications utilized by ill or injured workers can vary depending on the age of the claim and differences in claim population. Understanding the most-utilized types of medications in younger vs. older claims can help guide decision-making and aid in identifying opportunities for intervention that can lead to better overall outcomes.
Aggregate Trends for the Top 10 Therapeutic Drug Classes in 2018
1 MIN READ
In 2018, the top 10 therapeutic classes accounted for 77.1% of all scripts and 81.0% of all costs. An understanding of the most-utilized or highest-ranked classes of medications by cost can help identify intervention opportunities and benchmark targeted efforts for pharmacy program management. Year-over-year trend changes can also guide decision-making and recognize drug class utilization and cost outliers that may warrant further evaluation for appropriateness and safety.
Claims Magazine: 8 Strategies for Combating Opioid Addiction
Workers prescribed pain medications for work-related injuries must be educated about the risks of opioid addiction.
Understanding Brand & Generic Utilization and Cost
3 MIN READ
In 2018, First Script realized a 0.6% increase in generic utilization.1 Generic medications contain the same active ingredient and approved indications as their brand name counterparts. An increase of 0.6% might not seem like a lot; however, when the difference in cost per script is considered, it is easy to see why a shift in favor of generic use is a win and can be a big cost saver.
Investigating the Top Therapeutic Classes
2 MIN READ
First Script saw a decrease in opioid utilization across our retail and mail-order programs in 2018. In 2017, opioids made up 29.7% of total prescriptions, dropping to 26.9% in 2018, and representing a 2.8% decrease in utilization year over year.