AmTrust Battles Impacts Of Opioid Crisis On Workers’ Comp

Despite increased attention from the media and government, the opioid crisis continues to plague the United States, and in turn has implications for workers’ compensation insurance.

To address the risks associated with employees’ overuse of opioids, AmTrust Financial Services has partnered up with pharmacy care management company Optum Workers’ Comp and Auto No-Fault to implement processes that have driven down overall opioid prescriptions to insureds’ injured employees.

“The longer that an injured employee is treated with opioids and they’re masking their pain, the less likely it is that they’ll go back to work, and if they do go back to work, it’s not a safe environment,” said Melissa Burke, head of managed care and clinical at AmTrust.

“We are very focused on making sure that they’re returning to work with a personalized approach that allows them to be safe in the workplace. Opioids have side effects of drowsiness and dizziness, and they create confusion. They’re not the answer because they are not addressing the pain.”