Drug Abuse Hounds Workers Compensation Cases

A serious and fast-growing problem has been in the news: misuse and abuse of powerful prescription drugs, to the point where hospital officials say emergency room admissions have doubled, largely due to patients who have abused the potent narcotic opioid drugs methadone, oxycotone, and hydrocodone. Unfortunately, the problem is widespread in nursing home workers compensation cases and workers compensation in general, as narcotic opioids are often prescribed to employees injured in workers compensation claims cases.

What's feeding the problem

First of all, insurance copayments for prescription drugs are thought to act as a sort of gate-keeping mechanism, naturally curbing the number of prescriptions an insured will seek because he or she must pay out of pocket for at least a portion of the cost of the medication. However, unlike with other types of insurance (such as group insurance plans, most Medicare Part D or Medicaid insurance plans), there are no drug copayments for workers compensation insurance claimants to pay. With essentially "free" medications, there is nothing to curb the frequency with which some claimants seek prescription refills (either for abuse or resale).

Some people may misuse their prescriptions because they are unable to get adequate relief from pain. In the grip of chronic pain and desperate for relief, these patients may seek greater quantities and strengths of narcotics in an attempt to take more than the prescribed dosage (in the mistaken idea of "if one pill is good, three must be better").

Drugs have street value that also drives abuse

Although it is impossible to quantify actual numbers, the evidence on the street is clear that a significant number of workers compensation claimants are obtaining prescription drugs, then reselling them on the black market. Many narcotic drugs have a substantial street value, which translates into a large secondary market for the drugs when people are willing to turn them over to others-for a profit. Values can vary by region, but some reports found these popular drugs for illegal street sale at the following prices:

OxyContin: A single 40-milligram pill can sell for approximately $40

Actiq: A single dose cost approximately $25

Duragesic: Depending on the brand, the dosage, and the region where it is being sold, this drug, available in patch form, can sell anywhere from $20-$75

Unfortunately, drug abuse among nursing home workers compensation claimants will likely continue to be a problem. There are no obvious solutions, but it is necessary for everyone involved-claimants, doctors, insurance companies and others-to work together to arrive at solutions to returning injured workers to a healthy state.