Study: Opioids Raise Chance of 'Catastrophic' Claims Up to 4 Times

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefUse of opioid medications − particularly long-acting medications − for treatment of chronic pain in workers' compensation patients can increase chances of a "catastrophic claim" by almost four times, a study in the August 2012 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reports.A "catastrophic claim" is defined in the study as one costing $100,000 or more.The study, titled, "The Effects of Opioid Use on Workers' Compensation Claim Cost in the State of Michigan," was conducted by Jeffrey Austin White, director of medical ...