Arbicare

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Arbicare! We hope your entire week is filled with joy and the warmth of loved ones. #HappyThanksgiving #workerscompensation

Chronic pain is a complex challenge in workers' comp. Aliza Krug, MMSc, PA-C, MPLC shares insights on managing this long-term issue and supporting recovery. #workerscompensation #utilizationmanagement #chronicpain

Rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common work-related injuries, especially for employees who perform repetitive overhead motions or heavy lifting. Whether it's lifting boxes, painting walls, or working in construction, these injuries can leave workers with limited mobility and chronic pain. So, how can we spot a rotator cuff injury? And more importantly, how can we treat it effectively? Here are some #FastFacts! 1. Patients with rotator cuff injuries often report shoulder pain that worsens with overhead activities, lifting, or reaching behind their back. Pain may also be worse at night or when lying on the affected shoulder. Some patients may also experience weakness. 2. On exam, patients may have pain to palpation around the shoulder. Certain orthopedic tests may provoke pain that would indicate that the rotator cuff is torn. There may also be weakness noted with certain motions. 3. While a physical exam may indicate a rotator cuff tear or injury, the diagnosis is typically confirmed with imaging, such as an MRI. X-rays may be used to rule out other conditions, but cannot diagnose a rotator cuff injury. 4. The initial treatment is the same as most orthopedic injuries, rest, ice, NSAIDs, and physical therapy. If conservative measures fail, steroid injections may be considered. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary, especially if there is a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff. 5. Rotator cuff injuries are commonly caused by repetitive over head work or trauma. Aging can also increase the risk, as tendons naturally weaken over time, making them more prone to injury. Understanding the signs, diagnosis, and treatment options for rotator cuff injuries is crucial, not only for improving patient outcomes but also for managing work comp claims effectively. Have a question or want more details? Leave a comment below or send me a message! #WorkComp #WorkersCompensation #RotatorCuff #ShoulderInjury #RepetitiveStrain #PhysicalTherapy #WorkplaceSafety #UtilizationManagement #PainManagement #InjuryPrevention #EvidenceBasedMedicine #TreatmentOptions #ClinicalOperations #WorkInjury #UtilizationManagement #OnTheJobInjury #Pain #Trauma #UtilizationReview #EvidenceBasedTreatment Arbicare

The NYS Workers' Compensation Board has reached the 2 million prior authorization requests (PARs) milestone through the OnBoard system. Arbicare has a few noteworthy updates collected from the Board. ? ???????????????????? ??????????: 92% of PARs have been resolved without needing Level 3 review, with most processed within 30 days. Only 8% required escalation, and <1% needed a hearing. ? ???????????????????? ????????????????????: For the 8% of escalated Level 3 PAR cases, medication, DME, behavioral health, and "carrier unknown" PARs are being resolved on the same or next business day. Special services within weeks. ? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????????: Payers should provide clear denial reasons for PARs to avoid unnecessary resubmissions and escalations. Specifying needed information can streamline approvals and reduce delays in care. ? ?????????????????????? ??????????????????: Over 75 system enhancements have been made, including security upgrades, process efficiencies, and streamlined responses. #workerscompensation #utilizationmanagement

A few weeks ago, I posted a fast facts about migraines. Today, let's dive in to something we are seeing more of in the treatment of migraines - CGRP inhibitors. Chronic migraines are a significant concern for many workers, often resulting in lost time, decreased productivity, and increased healthcare costs. Enter CGRPs (calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitors). While they offer benefits for some patients, there are also some potential challenges. Here are some #FastFacts on CGRP inhibitors: 1. CGRP inhibitors are designed to block calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which plays a key role in migraine attacks. These drugs prevent the CGRP in the body from triggering the dilation of blood vessels in the brain, thus reducing the frequency and severity of migraines. 2. Some of the most commonly prescribed CGRP inhibitors include Aimovig, Ajovy, Emgality, and Vyepti. These medications are typically administered via injection, either monthly or quarterly, depending on the specific drug. 3. These medications are often used in patients with chronic migraines—defined as headaches occurring 15 or more days per month, or for patients who have failed to improve with traditional migraine treatments. It should be noted that these medications may take several weeks to show efficacy. 4. One of the key barriers to widespread use of CGRP inhibitors is their high cost. Prices can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per month, depending on the medication and dosage. 5. CGRP inhibitors are generally well-tolerated, but like all medications, they come with potential side effects. The most common side effects are injection site reactions, but in rare cases, patients may experience constipation or cardiovascular effects. While CGRP inhibitors offer a promising option for managing chronic migraines, their high cost and uncertain benefit in some patients can make them a challenging treatment choice. Potential benefits should be weighed against the cost as there are other more affordable treatments that should be considered first. Have you encountered CGRP inhibitors in your workers’ comp claims? Let me know your thoughts or drop any questions below! #WorkComp #WorkersCompensation #MigraineTreatment #CGRP #Aimovig #Emgality #Ajovy #Vyepti #ChronicMigraine #PainManagement #CostManagement #TreatmentOptions #UtilizationManagement #WorkplaceWellness #HealthCosts #WorkersCompensationClaims #UtilizationReview Arbicare #Migraine #ChronicPain #EvidenceBasedTreatment #EvidenceBasedMedicine

At Arbicare, we honor and deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by our veterans and those actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Your commitment and courage inspire us daily, reminding us of the values we uphold within our own team: dedication, resilience, and service to others. This Veterans Day, we stand with gratitude and respect for each of you who has served our nation and protected our freedoms. Thank you for your unwavering dedication—you make our country, and all of us, stronger. #Veteransday #Thankyou

I’m looking forward to presenting at next week’s event with The Defense Collaborative. The event will be different than any I’ve been to before with speed dating style tables through which people will rotate to network and learn! Oh yeah, and there’s a costume contest! #networking #learning Arbicare #presentor #liabililty #claims #highcostclaims #savings #workcomp #workerscompensation #utilizationreview #utilizationmmanagement #evidencebasedmedicine #evidencebasedguideleines #pasdothat #mplc #medicalprofessionallegalconsultant

Last week, during National Workers' Compensation and Disability Conference 2024, accūrō Solutions was excited to host our "Roaring 20's Cocktail Hour" with Arbicare at the Delano. ??? We are grateful for all our amazing clients, prospects, partners, and friends of both accūrō Solutions and Arbicare who were able to join us — it really was a roaring good time! ???? Allison Brekosky | Larry Brinton, Jr. | BJ Dougherty | Kyle Devereaux | Jonathan Eichenbaum | George Furlong | Lisa Gran | Kenneth Hannigan, DBA | Kim Hannigan | Juli Jenkins | Stephen Junker | Mark Laffey | Teri Mangus | Aliza Krug, MMSc, PA-C, MPLC | Alex O'Neal | Haldavid N. Cope | Scott Whitlow

This week has been nothing short of incredible for Arbicare! Starting with a fantastic happy hour co-hosted with accūrō Solutions and capped off by a memorable dinner with a wonderful client. The experience has reinforced the importance of the trust and strong relationships that drive us forward. It’s a privilege to work with such dedicated clients and partners who help us succeed. As we look ahead, I couldn’t be more excited for what’s in store for Arbicare. Here’s to even greater things on the horizon! #workerscompensation #utilizationmanagement #URSoftware #URServices

Excited to kick off the conference with accūrō Solutions at tonight’s Happy Hour! #utilizationmanagement #workerscompensation #nationalcomp