CWCI Finds Dwindling Savings From Medical Networks

Medical provider networks, intended to improve care for injured workers and reduce medical spending, shaved only about 2% from average medical costs per claim in California, compared to non-network treatment, according to new data from the California Workers’ Compensation Institute. And opioid prescribing was more prevalent in cases where the injured worker’s primary treating provider was part of a medical provider network, CWCI found. An opioid was prescribed in 48% of the MPN claims versus 40% of non-network claims. “It’s very surprising,” said CWCI P...