PCI Urges Indiana Gov. to Sign Workers Compensation Formulary Bill

CHICAGO - The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to sign SB 369, which adopts an evidence-based workers compensation drug formulary. The Indiana Senate concurred with House amendments March 6, and the bill will now be sent to the governor.

“Evidence-based pharmaceutical formularies such as included in SB 369 can help to ensure timely delivery of appropriate medical care to injured workers to achieve optimum health and return-to-work outcomes,” said Hilary Segura, counsel for PCI. “In 2011, Texas was the first state to implement an evidence-based workers compensation pharmaceutical formulary and it has proven to be very effective in providing injured workers with access to the most appropriate medications, while protecting them from non-recommended medicine including high-dosage opioids and benzodiazepines. These drugs have driven the national opioid crisis.”

Under SB 369, Indiana will prohibit workers' compensation and occupational disease compensation reimbursement for drugs specified as “not recommended” in the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) Workers' Compensation Drug Formulary.

“Evidence-based closed formularies have been very effective in reducing the overutilization of opioids and benzodiazepines, said Segura. “We commend Indiana for taking important steps to address the opioid crisis that continues to impact the state.”