Claims administrators have an invaluable opportunity to help future pharmacists understand the challenges regarding prescription drug use for occupational injuries. A pharmacist intern program, like the one we offer at Sedgwick, can provide ex…
The consequences of initial care direction Accurate initial care direction can make all the difference in the outcome of a workers' compensation claim. When experienced clinicians are engaged and referencing proven triage guidelines, their guidanc…
On Wednesday in the Wellness ZENter, RIMS attendees had the opportunity to hear about a recent study on the work/health relationship. Darrell Brown, Chief Claims Officer at Sedgwick, and Brian Gifford, Director of Research and Measurement at Integrat…
The power of the process Consistently using the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) in workers’ compensation return to work management is a good industry practice, but there’s power in taking a step beyond. Investing additional time to fully unde…
Three weeks ago, I was wrapping up a discussion with a client and fellow Sedgwick colleagues on the opioid epidemic. Someone in the room received the unexpected text that Prince had died. In the next few moments, without any other information, my fel…
Participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day today, Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and you could save a life. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was established in 2010 by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) …
It was my privilege to present along with Dr. Paul Peak of Sedgwick at the 2016 National RX Drug and Heroin Summit in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss dangerous prescribing practices and at-risk patients. The conference was highlighted by a public ap…
As healthcare delivery in the U.S. undergoes profound change from volume-based to value-based, patient-centered and more transparent care, there is increasing emphasis on quality and safety. In moving toward a culture of safety, leaders and policym…
Last year, Dr. Reema Hammoud of Sedgwick shared a blog regarding National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be held April 30, 2016. Ho…
This week, I spoke at The Center for Excellence track as part of the 2015 Workers’ Compensation and Education Conference in Orlando, FL. The responses from attendees reconfirmed how much people are seeking to understand how big data and predictive …
It is possible that 2015 will be the year remembered as the turning point in addressing the opioid and narcotic epidemic in the United Sates. This year, almost every conference, publication and industry expert has addressed the topic. Just last mon…
I think by now most would agree that “big data” is more of a catch phrase that encapsulates all things data, including interconnectivity of data repositories, trend analysis, benchmarking, predictive analytics and claim level interventions. Big dat…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 46 people in the U.S. die from an overdose of prescription painkillers every day.[1] Deaths from prescription painkiller overdoses have increased more than 400% among women and 2…
Last week the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) health exchange subsidy. What does the ruling mean for workers’ compensation going forward? The ACA’s subsidy ruling has been a roller coaster ride for most of the major…
Recently there has been a lot of discussion – in the media and throughout the industry – about the California independent medical review (IMR) process. Introduced to the workers’ compensation system in California as part of Senate Bill 863, IMR serve…