Court Rejects Truck Driver's Challenges to UR Decisions on His Opioid Usage

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania upheld two utilization review determinations that a truck driver’s opioid medication usage was excessive, and it denied his petition for penalties. Frank Hughes worked as a truck driver for Wawa Inc. He injured his back at work in April 2000, and Wawa accepted liability for a low-back herniation. Hughes later filed and settled a workers’ compensation claim. The settlement agreement described Hughes’ injuries as herniated discs at L4-5 and L5-S1, adjustment reaction with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and pain disorder. The settleme...