SWCB Proposing Trial Periods, Urine Tests for Opioid Use

By Michael Whiteley, Eastern Bureau ChiefProposed chronic pain treatment guidelines released by the New York State Workers' Compensation Board this week would restrict the use of opioids to trial periods after more conservative treatment fails and require periodic urine tests to determine whether injured workers are abusing drugs.  SWCB Chairman Robert Beloten released a draft of the guidelines on Monday and is seeking comments from interest groups before adopting the guidelines as state regulations.The draft guides, created by a 13-member committee of New York physicians and represen...