Physicians are not monitoring their patients’ opioid prescriptions closely enough, but PBMs can push guideline adherence.

In the first two states to wrestle with questions of allowing employers to opt out of the federal workers comp system, uphill battles remain.

Organizations need to develop and implement clear and defensible substance abuse programs to keep abusers from putting themselves and others at risk.

California lawmakers are being cautioned to proceed carefully before instituting a closed pharmaceutical formulary.

A new report says health care payers last year confronted a “seismic change” in the pharmacy landscape in 2014.

A new study concludes that injured workers are at significantly higher risk for unintentional overdose when prescribed long-acting opioids.

A WCRI study shows that states with cost-to-charge ratio fee regulations or fixed fee schedules see lower payments and slower growth of increased payments compared to other states.

A new study says the focus needs to change from addressing the nonmedical use of painkillers to preventing and treating addiction.

Accountable care organizations have financial incentives to classify injuries as work-related.

Employers don’t need to be at the mercy of unscrupulous providers or state laws to control their medical costs, advised panelists at a recent webinar.

The objective assessment of an outside expert can often help move even the most difficult legacy claims toward closure.

Physicians are displeased with sweeping changes to the California workers’ compensation system since the passage of SB 863.

A Japanese model of health education among workers may hold promise for an alternative to traditional methods to help improve the well-being of the workforce.

Supporters say Tennessee’s proposed Employee Injury Benefit Alternative could save employers up to 50 percent on their workers’ comp costs.

In 2012, overexertion injuries cost businesses $15.1 billion in direct costs and accounted for more than one-quarter of the overall national burden.

Compensability questions around at-home injuries could be solved with proactive employer guidelines.

A RAND Center report highlights the difficulties of creating a fee schedule and related coverage policies for home health services.

Industry experts share their thoughts about the challenges and trends facing workers’ comp professionals going forward.

New research reveals workers’ comp claimants receiving urine drug tests when doctors have not prescribed opioid pain medications.

A South Carolina commission suggests that more education for physicians is necessary in order to reduce overprescribing.