Increase in Comp Prescription Costs Offset by Lower Volume

The price of prescription drugs in workers' compensation cases grew at an annual rate of 3.7% average over a nine-year period, offset by a 6% decline in the volume of prescriptions, according to a research paper published Tuesday by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Analyzing data from 2012 to 2021, NCCI also found that the average drugs-paid cost per claim decreased about 2.6% per year. The annual reduction in drug payment per claim varied across four regions, ranging from 2% in the Southeast to 3.9% in the West. Opioid claims saw the largest decrease in drug costs, accord...