Oxy Officially Eliminated from Ohio WC Drug Formulary

Columbus, OH (WorkersCompensation.com) - Oxycontin is no longer on the drug formulary for Ohio’s injured workers. As promised in February, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation won’t pay for the drug or generic sustained-release oxycodone tablets for workers injured as of June 1. The rule, however, does not apply to immediate-release oxycodone, which is used for acute pain.

Injured workers who are currently prescribed the now unreimbursed medications have until Dec. 31 to discontinue their use and/or switch to a different medication on the formulary. The decision was made by the BWC’s board of directors.

In making the initial announcement, the BWC said it would replace the drug with Xtampza ER, a sustained-release form of oxycodone that utilizes a “unique abuse-deterrent technology that makes it difficult to manipulate — crush, snort of inject — for aberrant use,” according to BWC Chief Medical Officer Terry Welsh. “Thanks to technology, this just seems like the next responsible step to protect our injured workers from potential addiction and overdose death to dangerous drugs.”

Injured workers are encouraged to discuss with their physicians other painkillers on the formulary as well as non-medication treatment options for chronic pain. “Our priority remains the health and safety of our injured workers, which can be more challenging when an addiction enters the mix,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud. She also said the BWC “will reimburse for certain services” for workers that want to discontinue opioid use altogether.

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