CWCI: Costs of Compounds Increased following AB 378

Compound drugs are being prescribed less often to injured workers, but at the same time the average amount paid for a compound prescription has jumped 68.2% since state lawmakers passed a bill intended to control costs, according to a new study by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute.In 2011, lawmakers passed AB 378, a measure that required compound drugs be billed by ingredient and paid using the Medi-Cal rate for each ingredient as identified by its national drug code. The bill, which also prohibited separate reimbursement for ingredients with no NDC, took effect on Jan. 1, 2...