DWC Rejects Opioid Use as Doctor 'Report Card' Measurement

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefAUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation will not include the frequency that doctors prescribe opioid painkillers in its 2013 “report cards” measuring health care providers' performance in treating injured workers – despite recommendations by insurers and some physicians.Teresa Carney, DWC director of system monitoring and oversight, told members of the Performance-Based Oversight (PBO) Working Group on Wednesday that the proposed criterion won’t be included in next year’s evaluation because the ...