In 2006,  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its 30th annual report on the health status of America, “Health, United States, 2006” which found that the overall health of the nation seemed to be improving or holding steady, but highlighted one particular condition as needing further attention: pain.   

Pain is a common  and troubling condition around the world. In a 2005 European study, it was estimated that 20% of the world’s population deals with some form of chronic pain. In Europe, chronic pain accounts for over 30 billion euros in lost productivity. In 2002, an American study found common pain conditions caused 13% of workers to experience a loss of productivity over a two-week period. The estimated cost to corporate America was $61.2 billion dollars that year. In fact, pain has been such a prominent health care issue that the 106th U.S. Congress passed Title VI, Sec. 1603, of H.R. 3244, declaring the period between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2010 the "Decade of Pain Control and Research."

 Solutions  

 Conventional treatment  of chronic pain is time-consuming and often very expensive, particularly for those claims that continue without resolution over the course of several years. For this reason, it is important that employers and payers understand the dynamics and drivers of the costs associated with chronic pain.  By employing a focused, multi-disciplinary clinical approach very costly segments can be targeted.  It is then possible to manage effectively chronic pain from the overall costs associated with medical care and treatment as well as loss of a productive workforce.

Using evidence-based  medicine to create a plan of action for those individuals with inadequately managed chronic pain promotes the achievement of optimum results.  Medical management programs can provide information and resources to the claimant's current treating doctors, clinics and hospitals. These types of consultations with providers help achieve the following objectives:

1.     Safe, rational and effective management of the chronic pain population

2.     Maximized functionality and return to work

3.     Management of medical costs

4.     Focused and designated processes/people to reduce internal duplication of effort

5.     Document measurable results and ROI metrics

How It Works

A Chronic Pain Program, for example, uses a defined and rigorous process. After an initial eligibility assessment, a highly skilled and experienced medical team of specialty physicians and nurses reviews the medical and psychosocial aspects of each case. The team establishes a list set of customized strategies in the form of recommendations to achieve ultimately the goals and objectives for each case. The team then monitors the impact of interventions during subsequent meetings and follows the case through to timely resolution.

The key to the program  is the expertise clinical and claim professionals bring to each claim. A highly experienced staff performs the data analysis, oversight and management of the process. An expert panel of specialized pain physicians (anesthesiologists, physiatrists, orthopedists, and psychologists or psychiatrists) provides guidance. Other contracted resources such as selected, accredited pain management facilities and urine drug monitoring labs help ensure that patients are compliant with prescribed regimens. 

A Chronic Pain Program  has the power to make a sizable difference. With proven methods, resources, and expertise it can provide the support and control to help employees beat pain back and return to productivity.

Guest Authors:  Candy Raphan, RN, BSN, ARNP, MAOM and Dr Jacob Lazarovic, MD, FAAFP.  For more information contact us at 404-300-1602.

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