Ohio Firm Launches Program Aimed at Opioid Abuse in Workers’ Comp

Lewis Center, Ohio-based Modern Medical announced the nationwide roll out of a program designed stop the rise of opioid abuse in the workers’ compensation industry.

Opioid Defense Manager (ODM) was launched in November 2012 in a test phase, the company said. The managed care program is a proactive, customized program designed to protect employees, physicians and employers by reducing inappropriate drug use while maintaining the necessary balance to provide pain relief for the injured worker, according to the announcement.

ODM is a patient centered program which focuses on prevention. It is designed to recognize patients who are at risk for prolonged disability, opioid dependence and risk of harm from opioid therapy.

Modern Medical’s clinical team collaborates with prescribers to ensure appropriate opioid therapy. Patients also become involved in their care by understanding the expectations of treatment while working toward goals.

Modern Medical said there have been some very successful initial results with ODM:

• Eighty percent of physicians are responding to Modern Medical’s interventions. Because of that intervention, these patients and their employers are experiencing a 23 percent drop in opioid use.
• Twelve percent of physicians have already begun to wean patients off of opioid therapy.

Opioids are the most common drugs prescribed in workers’ compensation and linked to the highest rate of prescription abuse.

Modern Medical, located outside of Columbus, Ohi,o is a privately held company founded in 1986 to provide electrotherapy units to injured workers. The company has since grown to provide a full range of workers’ compensation services to self-insured employers, third party administrators, case management and insurance companies nationwide.

Source: Modern Medical

Topics Workers' Compensation New Markets Ohio