DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PRIUM’s Senior Vice President of Product Development Mark Pew will provide best-practice techniques for managing opioids on workers’ compensation claims at the Sept. 19 Central Jersey Claims Association meeting.

“Sometimes you need a multi-disciplinary approach with cognitive behavior counseling, physical therapy and other physical exercise to help claimants manage their pain and deal with psychosocial issues that contribute to addictive behavior”

“Evidence-based medicine does not recommend the use of opioids beyond the acute phase of an injury or post surgery, but opioids often appear on claims for years,” Pew said. “Between 25 and 26 percent of all comp pharmacy spend goes to opioids.”

Pew’s presentation covers identifying at-risk claimants to prevent dependency and addiction as well as the processes used to help those already addicted to regain control over their lives and return to work. Strategies include predictive modeling, physician-to-physician discussions based on evidence-based medicine, clinical tools used to ensure drug regimen change, the weaning process, and working with pain management specialists or functional restoration clinics to help claimants overcome addiction and manage their pain.

“Sometimes you need a multi-disciplinary approach with cognitive behavior counseling, physical therapy and other physical exercise to help claimants manage their pain and deal with psychosocial issues that contribute to addictive behavior,” Pew said.

His session also covers medical interventions, such as utilization review, independent medical exams, directed care, and physician depositions to use if the physician or claimant refuses to adopt a more appropriate drug regimen.

Pew will speak at the The Central Jersey Claims Association Sept. 19 meeting, starting at 5 p.m. at The Hamilton Manor in Hamilton, New Jersey. To register, please see http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e82ooqbe8b65fc18&llr=ehf5sodab.

ABOUT PRIUM

PRIUM sets the industry standard for workers' compensation medical interventions through its ability to secure higher agreement rates and ensure compliance with modified treatment plans. The hallmark of the medical intervention company's success is a collaborative physician engagement process encompassing evidence-based medicine, clinical oversight, and jurisdictional guidelines to ensure optimal financial and clinical outcomes. PRIUM eliminates unnecessary treatment through a comprehensive approach that includes complex medical interventions, utilization reviews, and independent medical exams. Based in Duluth, Ga., PRIUM can be reached at www.prium.net or 888-588-4964. For insight on workers' compensation medical issues, read PRIUM's blog at www.priumevidencebased.com.