WCIRB Reports 50% Drop in Claims Receiving Opioids

The share of California claims with at least one opioid prescription 12 months after injury fell, to 20% in 2017 from 42% in 2013, according to a new study from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. At the same time, the average cost of an opioid prescription per 100 claims fell almost 80% from 2013 to 2017. “The downward trend of opioid prescriptions may be leading to a shift in the patterns of medical treatments for California injured workers,” the WCIRB said in the report published Wednesday. “This potential shift could also result in more utilization ...