Learn how a Clinical Cost Containment Review identifies problems with an unrealistic Medicare Set-Aside (MSA), saves almost $2 million and improves clinical outcomes for injured worker, Jim.
Clinical Cost Containment Review identifies clinical concerns, develops new plan and saves almost $2 million while improving clinical outcomes
Meet Jim
A few years ago, Marjorie, an adjuster for a large insurance company, worked with a claimant, Jim, who suffered a debilitating back injury while lifting items out of a freezer. The injury resulted in lumbar disc herniation, and a spinal fusion surgery was performed at L5-S1. Post-surgery, Jim still had chronic back pain radiating to both legs, which affected his mobility and activities of daily living.
Neither his extensive medication treatment regimen, nor back surgery, nor a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) helped control his pain. The claimant – a Medicare beneficiary – advised Marjorie he wanted to settle the case. (Full diagnosis and complete medications list noted below)
Problem with “unrealistic” Medicare Set Aside
When Medicare beneficiaries, like Jim, want to settle their case, obtaining a Medicare Set Aside (MSA) is recommended to ensure that the burden of future medical care for the workers’ compensation injury is not shifted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
An MSA was completed for Jim, which allocated a total future therapy cost that was unrealistic for settlement due to the medication regimen and the possibility of another SCS trial and an intrathecal pain pump (ITP). So, Jim’s case was referred to Optum Settlement Solutions to review the treatment plan and determine if there were opportunities for clinical, as well as cost containment improvements.
Clinical Cost Containment Review (CCCR) requested from Optum
The CCCR process involves a comprehensive case analysis by a clinical pharmacist and a nurse reviewer. The pharmacist reviews current medication therapy for both therapeutic appropriateness and cost-effectiveness to align with current clinical practice guidelines. The nurse reviews medical treatments that are in use, planned or suggested for medical necessity and appropriateness to align with current clinical practice guidelines.
CCCR finds multiple concerns with claimant’s treatment regimen
Identified medication issues included: non-compliance, inappropriate dosing, duplication of therapy and drug interactions. His multiple prescribed medications were costly but had safe, cost-effective alternatives available. In addition, the SCS and ITP therapies that were discussed for the claimant were not supported by clinical practice guidelines.
Case proceeds to peer outreach
During the Peer Outreach process, a specialty-matched physician discusses the pharmacist’s and nurse’s analysis with the treating prescriber(s). Peer Outreach increases the likelihood that recommended changes will be implemented by the prescriber(s) and promotes safer, more effective care.
Nurse progress monitoring ensures plans are followed
After Peer Outreach, Nurse Progress Monitoring (NPM) was initiated to follow up with the treating prescriber(s) for up to six months to ensure agreed-upon changes were successfully implemented and sustained. Intervention by Optum nurse produces results:
- The SCS and ITP were formally documented as no longer recommended.
- Diclofenac solution, Terocin patches, New Terocin lotion, senna, and tadalafil were discontinued.
- Sildenafil use was reduced from once daily (30 tablets per month) to as-needed (10 tablets per month).
- Carisoprodol was replaced with tizanidine to be used as needed.
Clinical mitigation generates almost $2 million in savings and a better treatment plan for the claimant
Before Optum | After Optum |
---|---|
Cost = $2,129,625.85 over life expectancy | Cost = $419,916.63 over life expectancy ($1,709,709.22 savings over life expectancy) |
The medication regimen was simplified and clinical concerns identified by Optum were addressed. In addition to benefitting the claimant, the overall claim costs and the projected MSA costs were significantly reduced, which will ultimately help Jim settle this claim.
Claimant diagnosis and medication list
Jim was diagnosed with a lumbosacral disc herniation, lumbar degenerative disc disease, lumbar spondylosis, spinal stenosis, and lumbar facet arthropathy. He had L5-S1 fusion surgery the year after his injury and was later diagnosed with failed back surgery syndrome and lumbar radiculopathy. A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) was implanted in 2013 but was removed two years later because it no longer provided any pain relief. Jim was also diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) and anxiety secondary to his injury.
Jim was prescribed the following medications:
Medication name | Prescribed strength | Dose | Use |
---|---|---|---|
Oxaprozin Tab | 600 mg | Two tablets (1200 mg) once daily | Pain and inflammation |
Oxycodone Tab | 30 mg | One tablet four times daily for breakthrough pain | Pain |
OxyContin Tab | 40 mg | One tablet every eight hours | Pain |
Omeprazole Cap | 20 mg | Two capsules (40 mg) once daily | Gastritis associated with oxaprozin use |
Gabapentin Cap | 300 mg | Two capsules (600 mg) three times daily | Neuropathic pain |
Alprazolam Tab | 0.5 mg | One tablet daily | Anxiety |
Sildenafil Tab | 100 mg | One tablet daily | ED |
Tadalafil Tab | 20 mg | One tablet daily | ED |
Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Oral Powder | 17 g | Mix 17 grams of powder with a beverage and drink once daily | Opioid-induced constipation |
Senna Tab | 8.6 mg | One tablet four times daily | Opioid-induced constipation |
Carisoprodol Tab | 350 mg | One tablet four times daily | Muscle spasms |
Diclofenac Solution | 1.5% | Apply topically to the low back as needed | Localized pain and inflammation |
Lidocaine Ointment | 5% | Apply topically to the low back as needed | Localized neuropathic pain |
Terocin (Lidocaine-Menthol) Patch | 4%-4% | Apply to the low back as needed, up to two patches daily | Localized pain |
(Capsaicin-Menthol- Methyl Salicylate) Lotion | 0.025%-10%-25% | Apply topically to the low back, using up to four grams per day | Localized pain |