DULUTH, GA (May 7, 2013) — Mark Pew, senior vice president of business development for PRIUM, will discuss strategies for reducing opioid use on workers’ compensation claims at the upcoming West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference, May 9 and 10 in Charleston, W. Va.

Pew’s “Best Practices for Managing Opioids,” starts at 8:30 a.m. on May 10 and covers the fundamentals of opioid reduction and discontinuance.  Points include recognizing inappropriate treatment patterns, methods for weaning, and developing an opioid reduction/discontinuance plan with the treating physician.

“Many physicians feel uncomfortable managing the weaning process,” Pew said.  “I’ll discuss how to work with doctors to determine the level of intervention needed, such as in-patient detox and functional restoration programs, and how to transition care if they desire.”

Presented by the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, the conference takes place May 9 through 10 at the Marriott Charleston Town Center in Charleston, West Virginia.  To register or obtain more information, please see http://www.wvinsurance.gov/Portals/0/West%20Virginia%20Brochure%202013FF.pdf.

ABOUT PRIUM

Based in Duluth, Ga., PRIUM is a URAC-accredited utilization review and medical cost management company providing prospective, concurrent and retrospective medical and pharmaceutical reviews to the workers’ compensation industry.   Among its services is a comprehensive complex claims control program, with an emphasis on opioid control that is rooted in the core principles of peer-to-peer discussion, enforcement through pharmacy benefit management and oversight via PRIUM’s clinical oversight team.  To reach PRIUM, call 888-588-4964 or visit www.prium.net.  For insight and commentary on medical management issues in workers’ compensation, please visit PRIUM’s blog at http://prium-evidencebased.blogspot.com.

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Media Contact:  Helen King Knight, APR, King Knight Communications, 813-837-1701; helen@kingknight.com