PMSI/Progressive Report Decrease in Opioid Use and Costs

Fewer injured workers were prescribed opioids in 2013, and those prescriptions were less expensive and for lower dosages than they were the previous year, according to a report by Progressive Medical and PMSI.In 2013, 62.1% of injured workers using prescription medications were taking at least one opioid analgesic, compared to the 64.2% of injured workers whose prescriptions included at least one opioid in 2012, Progressive and PMSI reported.Overall, utilization of opioids was down 5%, while the average cost of the drugs per claim decreased by 6%. Progressive and PMSI also reported that the av...