Here’s one more reason to move those old dog files and future medical cases to settlement – opioid abuse.
Injured workers using opioids were often using other drugs like benzodiazepines and muscle relaxants, an inherently dangerous practice as all three classes have a sedating effect and when combined are “associated with a heightened risk of respiratory depression and death.” In a WCRI study for the 2013 claims year period, concomitant use of opioids and other central nervous system depressants was found in about 30 to 45% of opioid-using claims in all but one of the study states, with California near the top of that list at about 42% of claims.
The path to settlement isn’t easy, but valuating your case and exploring more creative methods of settlement, such as structured annuities, can help you reduce the number of problematic claims in your inventory. Peer reviews and searches for alternative medicines can also help to reduce use of these drugs.
Please feel free to call with questions or to schedule a time to discuss a troublesome claim.
Medicare Compliance & Settlement Solutions 