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Opioid Abuse In Workers Compensation

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Opioid Abuse

The growing problem of Opioid abuse in WC. This subject has been covered very well in Mark Wall’s Group on LinkedIn – Work Comp Analysis Group. If you are a member of LinkedIn, I highly recommend joining the group. I cannot link directly to the group as it is password protected.

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Opioid abuse in Workers Compensation is a growing problem. It is more of a societal problem than just Workers Comp. Last night, I was watching a program on NatGeo called Pill Nation. It was mortifying as I was shocked at how out of control the pharmaceutical management system has become over the last few years.

There is a short clip of one of the Oxycontin addicts. Brace yourself if you want to watch it here. The clip is a little unsettling. The show will be on a few times until Sunday. It is worth watching. I do not usually recommend watching any TV shows. This is an exception.

The bottom line of what I saw was that Oxycontin abuse is running amok in Florida as there is no system in place that tracks the prescribing of narcotics. Until legislation is put in place that will stem the abuse, Florida will be the source for illegal Oxycontin for years to come.

Picture Capsule Opioid Abuse Concept
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The one narcotic that seems to be the most abused on the claims that I have seen is Vicodin. I posted in Mark’s group a few weeks ago on Vicodin abuse level. I know of a pharmacist that works the night shift in the northeastern US. The Vicodin users line up a few minutes before midnight so that when the abuser’s RX rolls over into another 30 days, they are at the counter at that moment. There have been two robberies at the store where she works – both for Oxycontin – but no cash was taken.

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James J Moore - Workers Comp Expert

Raleigh, NC, United States

About The Author...

James founded a Workers’ Compensation consulting firm, J&L Risk Management Consultants, Inc. in 1996. J&L’s mission is to reduce our clients’ Workers Compensation premiums by using time-tested techniques. J&L’s claims, premium, reserve and Experience Mod reviews have saved employers over $9.8 million in earned premiums over the last three years. J&L has saved numerous companies from bankruptcy proceedings as a result of insurance overpayments.

James has over 27 years of experience in insurance claims, audit, and underwriting, specializing in Workers’ Compensation. He has supervised, and managed the administration of Workers’ Compensation claims, and underwriting in over 45 states. His professional experience includes being the Director of Risk Management for the North Carolina School Boards Association. He created a very successful Workers’ Compensation Injury Rehabilitation Unit for school personnel.

James’s educational background, which centered on computer technology, culminated in earning a Masters of Business Administration (MBA); an Associate in Claims designation (AIC); and an Associate in Risk Management designation (ARM). He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a licensed financial advisor. The NC Department of Insurance has certified him as an insurance instructor. He also possesses a Bachelors’ Degree in Actuarial Science.

LexisNexis has twice recognized his blog as one of the Top 25 Blogs on Workers’ Compensation. J&L has been listed in AM Best’s Preferred Providers Directory for Insurance Experts – Workers Compensation for over eight years. He recently won the prestigious Baucom Shine Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer contributions to the area of risk management and safety. James was recently named as an instructor for the prestigious Insurance Academy.

James is on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the North Carolina Mid-State Safety Council. He has published two manuals on Workers’ Compensation and three different claims processing manuals. He has also written and has been quoted in numerous articles on reducing Workers’ Compensation costs for public and private employers. James publishes a weekly newsletter with 7,000 readers.

He currently possess press credentials and am invited to various national Workers Compensation conferences as a reporter.

James’s articles or interviews on Workers’ Compensation have appeared in the following publications or websites:

  • Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
  • Entrepreneur Magazine
  • Bloomberg Business News
  • WorkCompCentral.com
  • Claims Magazine
  • Risk & Insurance Magazine
  • Insurance Journal
  • Workers Compensation.com
  • LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites
  • Various trade publications

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