FDA Designates MDMA a Breakthrough Therapy in PTSD

The FDA gave the go-ahead for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the primary ingredient for the party drug ecstasy, to move forward with Phase 3 trials in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Dr. Robert Goldberg Speaks to Risk & Insurance on Physician Dispensing

Healthesystems’ Chief Medical Officer spoke with Risk & Insurance magazine on how the workers’ comp industry has managed this trend.

Ohio BWC Reports Reduced Opioid Usage

In 2016, 44% fewer injured workers received opioids when compared to 2011.

California DWC Moves to Update MTUS

As the California formulary will be based on ACOEM treatment guidelines, the MTUS may soon move away from ODG.

NCCI State Advisory Forums Highlight State-Specific Issues

Thirty-six member states plan to release reports detailing various trends in workers’ compensation.

FDA Approves Two New Hepatitis C Drugs

Mavyret and Vosevi are both indicated to treat HCV genotypes 1-6 without cirrhosis or with mild cirrhosis.

Tate Rice: Use of Virtual Reality and Video Games in Physical Therapy

Healthesystems’ Director of Physical Medicine discusses virtual reality with IAIABC.

Shifting Physician Dispensing Patterns

WCRI reports that while physicians dispensing has decreased after legislative reform, spending remains high due to new prescribing patterns.

Missouri to Enact PDMP

Executive Order 17-18 will make Missouri the final state in the U.S. to enact a prescription drug monitoring program.

DEA Proposes Descheduling Naldemedine

The DEA has found that the opioid-induced constipation drug appears to have very low abuse potential.

Non-Opioid Pain Medication Gets Fast Track Designation

Tanezumab, a biologic currently in Phase 3 development for chronic low-back pain, may benefit from increased FDA communications.

Healthesystems at WCI Orlando

Healthesystems will exhibit in booth #914 from August 7-9, and our VP of Clinical Services, Dr. Silvia Sacalis, will join a panel presentation on opioid best practices.

CDC Vital Signs – Opioid Prescribing Still High, Differs by County

While opioid prescribing rates have declined over the last several years, MME per person has tripled since 1999.

Texas Aims to Close Compounding Loophole

The Division of Workers’ Compensation released an informal working draft of a rule change that would exclude compounds from the state formulary.

Polypharmacy: How Many Drugs is Too Many?

The cost and safety concerns of multiple simultaneous drug regimens.

FDA Requests Removal of Opana ER, Reexamines Abuse-Deterrent Opioids

After requesting a manufacturer remove the opioid Opana ER from the market, the FDA announced a public meeting to discuss the real-world impact of abuse-deterrent opioids.

How Off-Label Prescribing Drives a Claim Off Course

How can common forms of off-label prescribing impact claim costs and outcomes?

New York Workers’ Comp Formulary Update

The New York Workers’ Compensation Board has clarified a deadline for formulary selection and rule development, along with certain formulary requirements.

Illicit Opioid Use Linked to Hepatitis C

The CDC found that Hepatitis C infections tripled in the last five years due to drug use related to the opioid epidemic.

Dr. Silvia Sacalis Discusses the Need for Early Opioid Interventions

Healthesystems’ VP of Clinical Services spoke with Business Insurance on the importance of preventing opioid misuse to avoid long-term complications.

FDA Approves New Opioid: RoxyBond

The FDA approved RoxyBond^® (oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets for the treatment of pain for which alternative treatments are inadequate.

Not-So Science Fiction: Innovative Technologies in Workers’ Comp

Learn how brain-computer interface, exoskeletons, 3D printing and virtual reality can impact workers’ comp.

Utah Bill May Allow Insurers to Enforce Opioid Prescribing Policies

House Bill 90 went into effect May 9th, allowing group health and workers’ comp insurers to enforce evidence-based opioid prescribing policies.

Are Opioid-Related Deaths Underreported?

A CDC report ties several unexplained deaths in Minnesota to opioid use, indicating that more deaths nationwide could be opioid-related than previously thought.

WorkCompWire Interviews Daryl Corr

Healthesystems CEO, Daryl Corr, was recently featured in a “RIMS Review” by WorkCompWire, in which he discusses formularies, a more adherent healthcare model, and protecting data.

Symproic^® Approved for Opioid-Induced Constipation

The FDA approved Symproic® (naldemedine) oral tablets for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain.

Future Opioids and the Injured Worker: Why “Safer” is a Relative Term

Drug makers are developing new opioids with potential safety improvements over old formulations, but do they fall short for injured workers?

New York to Enact Workers’ Comp Formulary

The passage of Assembly Bill A3009C calls for a workers’ comp formulary by 2018.

How Initial Opioid Use Impacts Long-Term Opioid Use

Data from 1.3 million patients reveals how early prescribing decisions can influence long-term opioid use.

Successful Speaking Events in Atlanta and Denver

Healthesystems clinical leaders recently presented at the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, and at the American Occupational Health Conference in Denver, Colorado.

Olinvo (oliceridine) Completes Phase III Clinical Trials

An opioid developed to reduce adverse effects yielded lower rates of certain opioid-related side effects, but only in low drug doses.

Dr. Robert Goldberg Comments on Virtual Reality in Workers’ Comp

VR application in workers’ comp has great promise, but clinical guidelines are still years away.

Formularies Continue to Gain Steam

Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Nebraska join the many states considering workers’ comp formularies.

ACP Releases Guideline for Chronic Low Back Pain

New guideline emphasizes non-pharmacologic treatments and alternative therapies.

Focus On: Opioid Overdose and Dependence Therapies

Claims considerations for the opioid-overdose drug naloxone, and the opioid-dependency drug buprenorphine.

FDA Approves Two New Opioids, New Dose for Narcan Nasal Spray

The FDA approved Arymo ER, Vantrela ER and a new 2mg dose of the opioid overdose reversal agent, Narcan.

Naloxone: The Path to Increased Patient Access

How has innovation and legislation impacted naloxone use?

Brain-Computer Interface: New Research

Providing mobility for paralyzed patients?

More State Limits on Opioid Prescriptions?

New Jersey, Utah, Indiana, Oregon and Maryland consider opioid prescription limits.

Compound Drug Trends in Florida

Compound spending has decreased as pharmacies dispense fewer compounds, but prescriber-dispensing continues to increase.

Safer Opioids?

Manufacturers are working to develop opioids with fewer adverse effects.

Expect More State Formulary Action in 2017

Momentum behind state formularies will continue, especially as current data help inform what is working and what can be improved.

Incoming Exoskeleton Boom?

They work, they are expensive, and everyone wants to build them.

Mandatory PDMP Use

Legislation hints at a new trend, one that takes the effectiveness of PDMPs to a new level.

Telemedicine: Slowly But Surely

It’s been championed as a new tool for workers’ comp. But are there enough data on telemedicine to expect large-scale implementation?

Cantrell Drug Company Issues Voluntary Recall Due to Lack of Sterility Assurance

Common workers’ comp drugs impacted by the recall include fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine sulfate, and lidocaine.

Using Multidimensional Data to Estimate Potential Opioid Misuse

Analyzing multidimensional data across a broad patient population can reveal hidden risk factors for opioid misuse.

Department of Health and Human Services Expands Buprenorphine Access

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants will soon be able to prescribe the opioid dependence drug buprenorphine for up to 30 patients.

California DWC Formulary Webinar

Dr. Robert Goldberg, Healthesystems’ chief medical officer, will host an educational webinar for WOEMA on Wednesday, December 21 at 12:00 PM PT.

What Should Claims Professionals Know About Therapeutic Duplication?

The prescribing of multiple medications for the same indication can lead to serious safety and cost concerns.

New Evzio Strength Approved

The FDA approved a new 2 mg strength of Evzio (naloxone hydrochloride) auto-injector for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose.

Compound Medications: A Formula for Disaster

Often prescribed to treat pain associated with workplace injury, compounds are less regulated than FDA-approved drugs, resulting in significant patient safety and cost concerns.

WCRI Measures Opioid Use Between States

States with closed drug formularies and strong PDMP usage saw decreases in opioids per claim.

New York Expresses Interest in Workers' Comp Drug Formulary

The New York Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) announced their intent to establish a workers' comp prescription drug formulary.

Connect with Healthesystems at NWCDC 2016 in New Orleans

As proud gold sponsors of NWCDC 2016, Healthesystems invites you to visit us at booth 1419, and to attend one of our speaking sessions.

FDA Approves Biosimilar Amjevita

The FDA approved Amjevita (adalimumab-atto) as a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab) for multiple inflammatory diseases.

Don't Overlook the Impact of Age and Comorbidity

With the number of claims including a comorbidity almost tripling in the last decade, how do comorbid conditions impact pharmacy management in the injured worker?

Ohio BWC Limits Opioid Reimbursements

Effective October 1st, the Ohio Bureau of Workers\' Compensation will only reimburse opioid prescriptions that adhere to best medical practices.

DEA Reduces Opioid Manufacturing Quotas for 2017

Schedule I and II drugs will see manufacturing quotas drop by 25% or more for 2017.

Dr. Goldberg Comments on California PDMP Law

Dr. Robert Goldberg, Chief Medical Officer, spoke with WorkCompCentral on California's new law requiring prescribers to consult the state prescription drug monitoring program before prescribing Schedule II-IV drugs.

FDA Approves New Opioid: Troxyca ER

The FDA approved Troxyca ER (oxycodone hydrochloride and naltrexone hydrochloride) extended-release capsules for severe pain. The new product has been labeled as abuse-deterrent.

Medically Speaking: Marijuana and Pain Management

With state and federal legislation expanding the use and research of medical marijuana, what does the data say about marijuana and pain?

NCCI Reports on Prescription Drug Costs in Workers' Comp

A new update by NCCI shows prescription drug spending comprises 17% of total workers' comp medical costs, despite decreased utilization.

California DWC Releases Draft Formulary Regulations

The formulary seeks to improve quality of care, and to reduce frictional costs and the cost of prescription drugs.

Dr. Sacalis to Speak at CWC & Risk Conference

Dr. Silvia Sacalis, VP of Clinical Services, will co-present Integration Is the Key to Managing Claim Complexities at the CWC & Risk Conference.

FDA Approves Relistor Tablets for Opioid-Induced Constipation

The FDA approved Relistor tablets (methylnaltrexone bromide) for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain.

Gender Considerations in Workers' Compensation

Do women face increased risks with prescription pain medications?

Impacts of Physician Dispensing Reforms

New cost drivers have emerged to offset savings from state-wide physician dispensing reforms, according to WCRI.

New State Opioid Limits

New York passed A10727, limiting initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a seven-day supply, joining other states that have enacted similar laws.

Topical Convenience Packs

Low-cost drug products face severe and unnecessary increases in price when they are packaged together in convenience packs, often with no medical benefit.