Quote of the day
“We are honored to have delivered access to more affordable prescription medications for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and Ohio taxpayers. We believe these allegations are without merit, and will vigorously defend ourselves.”
Andrew Krejci, spokesman for OptumRx
PBM overcharged Ohio BWC by millions, charges state AG
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has charged in court filings that pharmacy benefits manager OptumRx caused millions of dollars worth of excessive costs for prescription drugs used through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The state is seeking a fine of up to $5,000 for each day that the allegedly improper prices were charged; the original contract began in 2009, so the damages could approach $20 million on that claim alone. Columbus Dispatch
Guilty plea to workers’ comp fraud part of Ohio BWC crackdown
An Ohio man has pleaded guilty to petty theft as part of a statewide crackdown on fraud by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, for operating his own construction company while receiving more than $35,000 in temporary total disability benefits from his employer. The Ohio BWC made 14 fraud-related convictions in October, with those convicted owing a combined more than $283,000 in restitution. LimaOhio.com
Local Georgia official found not guilty of insurance fraud
A Georgia jury has found a former insurance agent and county commissioner not guilty of criminal insurance fraud. One indictment alleged the defendant took a check intended for workers’ compensation insurance but instead pocketed the money. Despite the acquittal, he and his wife still face 15 counts of felony violation of the Georgia Insurance Code. Brunswick News
Connecticut legislators look to expand PTSD coverage
Connecticut lawmakers late last week heard testimony regarding possible expansion of a new law that provides workers’ compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder to firefighters, police and parole officers. Ambulance personnel, correctional officers and emergency dispatchers told lawmakers Friday they also should also be included in the coverage. Fox61 (Hartford, Conn.) [with video]
Connecticut fireman who testified dies of job-related cancer
A firefighter who testified before Connecticut lawmakers in 2016 on legislation involving cancer and firefighters has died of his illness at age 46. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has undertaken studies that conclude firefighters face a 9 percent increase in cancer diagnoses, and a 14 percent increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the general population. Stamford Advocate
Commentary: Football incident highlights problem of workplace violence
Workplace violence, co-worker assault, is commonly prosecuted, even when there are few witnesses and conflicting versions of the event. Yet, recently, a stadium full of people, and millions more witnessed an assault in real-time or watched it on video, and law enforcement officials have shrugged shoulders, writes attorney Matthew T. Mangino. New Jersey Herald