Topical Medications in Workers' Compensation and Auto Casualty
3 MIN READ
This article is part of our ongoing Quarterly Drug Update series. View our last article on gabapentinoids. Topical medications are an important part of care in the workers’ compensation and auto casualty industries, providing relief for patients in pain. In the past few years, the variety of available topical medications has increased, which has also driven up the number of prescriptions, particularly for new analgesic and local anesthetic drugs. While this variety allows for greater choice, many of the new branded medications are very expensive.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Workers’ Comp
3 MIN READ
PTSD typically starts with exposure to a critical incident. In order to meet the definition of PTSD, symptoms must last 30 days or more and disrupts normal life pursuits. It results from violation of expectations, deeply held beliefs, core beliefs such as belief in a just and fair world, need to trust others, self-esteem-self efficacy, and need for predictable and safe world.
Is there a new concern related to Gabapentin use and serious breathing problems?
3 MIN READ
In a drug safety communication from FDA Medwatch, the FDA warns about serious breathing difficulties related to the use of gabapentinoid (GabaP) medications in patients with other respiratory risk factors.1
Health Literacy’s Impact on Delayed Recovery
4 MIN READ
This article is authored by guest blogger, Mariellen Blue, National Director of Case Management, Genex Services. Workers’ compensation professionals are seeing delayed recovery as an increased challenge in claims—as injured employees may not be progressing along a medically reasonable and expected time frame. However, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why the delay is occurring in order to address the issue.
New York Workers' Compensation Board says NO to Medicare hold harmless language in Section 32 Waiver Agreements
2 MIN READ
Keep current with new legislation and its potential effect on your organization. This regulatory update is for informational purposes only, and provides some key highlights on state initiatives that may impact the Medicare Set-Aside services Genex provides.
New York Workers' Compensation Board says NO to Medicare hold harmless language in Section 32 Waiver Agreements
2 MIN READ
On March 2, 2020, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) published Subject No. 046-372 which announced that the Board determined that it will no longer approve Section 32 waiver agreements that require a claimant to indemnify and/or hold the carrier harmless.
No doctor, no problem
3 MIN READ
If you’ve had a medical appointment lately, it’s possible you didn’t see a doctor at all. For decades, the American medical system has been utilizing physician extenders including nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to assist with the rising demands of healthcare. In recent years, their role has expanded to be more autonomous, like having the ability to give diagnoses and write prescriptions. Pharmacists are also beginning to take on new roles. Retail stores with clinics inside and urgent care clinics are at the forefront of this new, convenient patient care.