Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED) Continues to Decline
July 1, 2019
3 MIN READIn 2018 Coventry’s pharmacy benefit management solution, First Script®, saw a 7.8% decrease in average MED per prescription for its retail and mail-order channels. This was the largest decrease in the last 5 years across First Script’s retail and mail-order programs. In addition, there was a reduction in the percentage of opioid scripts with greater than or equal to 90 MED. To better understand why this is important let’s answer a few questions.
Top Therapeutic Classes by Age of Claim in 2018
June 25, 2019
1 MIN READIn this video blog we discuss the types of medications utilized by ill or injured workers can vary depending on the age of the claim and differences in claim population. Understanding the most-utilized types of medications in younger vs. older claims can help guide decision-making and aid in identifying opportunities for intervention that can lead to better overall outcomes. Click the video below to learn more.
Will Naloxone Become Available for Purchase without a Prescription?
June 17, 2019
2 MIN READToday, there are two prescription products for use by laypersons. Namely, auto-injector (Evzio®) and intranasal (Narcan® Nasal Spray) naloxone. While they can be administered by someone outside of the healthcare profession, they are only obtainable with a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes an over the counter (OTC) version may remove barriers for obtaining naloxone, particularly for people who are not under the care of a physician or who may be hesitant to admit to issues with opioid abuse.
Heart of Case Management Awards 2019
June 14, 2019
Across the nation, case managers at Genex Services make life-changing impacts on injured employees on a daily basis.
How Long is a Filled Prescription Good For? Does the Medication Ever Go Bad?
June 10, 2019
2 MIN READThe expiration date indicates the time period the prescription drug can be expected to meet the claims of the Pharmacopeial monograph (information sheet provided with a medication), that it conforms to the recommended storage conditions. These dates are usually found on the manufacturer’s container and may be included on the prescription bottle label, depending on various state requirements.
10 reasons to include a pharmacy nurse in your workers’ compensation program
June 4, 2019
1 MIN READA recent survey of public health experts predicted 650,000 people could die from opioid misuse within the next 10 years.¹ Public health spending is falling short, medication-assisted treatment is too rare, and the worst drug overdose epidemic in U.S. history is culling our labor force. Rising medical costs and the opioid epidemic aren’t new trends to our industry, and while there are many beneficial tools being implemented to address these issues there is also one you may be less familiar with – a pharmacy nurse.
Defining Formularies & Step Therapy Medications
June 3, 2019
2 MIN READHealthCare.gov defines a formulary as, a list of prescription drugs covered by a prescription drug plan offering prescription drug benefits. Typically, a “prior authorization” for coverage is needed when a medication is not listed on the formulary or requires step therapy. Management of the formulary is often maintained by a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), such as First Script. Meaning, when a medication is not on a formulary, First Script would start the prior authorization process to get approval for payment of the medication.