tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321229718141307911.post3266232190794736146..comments2023-10-24T01:44:59.579-07:00Comments on Newshoggers Archive: HCR -- Workers Comp Ticking BombRon Beasleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442030471061531104noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321229718141307911.post-38871532197547872072012-04-08T04:34:51.000-07:002012-04-08T04:34:51.000-07:00Actually, I think he is more concerned with substa...Actually, I think he is more concerned with substance abuse following the use of opiates than the appropriate use of them as part of a treatment regimen. He points out that <i>[t]hese programs are often pretty ineffective as well; even if the medical director/case manager/guidelines recommend against approving opioids, adjusters usually approve them anyway.</i> He points specifically to cases <i>where the doses have been escalating, there's been no drug testing for compliance, and the treating doc has no long term plan other than 'more'.</i><br>I know as an employer how harsh the penalties for a company are in Georgia when a former employee fails to return to work as the result of a WC claim.<br>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br>In a personal case, not job-related, my wife went through four different orthopedic practices, all of which went with some painful combination of PT and drugs, before she finally went to a specialist willing to recommend back surgery. This was about twenty-five years ago and the referral was to a neuro-surgeon (not orthopedic). Without that intervention I feel sure she would have been on years of drugs instead of (or perhaps in addition to) any recommended daily exercises and lifestyle changes.<br>John Ballardhttp://profile.typepad.com/john_ballardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321229718141307911.post-27220161188661376902012-04-07T18:10:45.000-07:002012-04-07T18:10:45.000-07:00By all means,lets join the hysteria to be sure tha...By all means,lets join the hysteria to be sure that real pain is under medicated and that patients suffer because crusaders and lawyers have terrified doctors out of prescribing adequate pain medication to those who need it.<br>Bill H.http://billsandiego.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com