Claims Eval Calls for Increased Auditing of Drug Testing Programs
Granite Bay, CA (PRWEB) November 10, 2015 -- A recent agreement by Millennium Laboratories to pay $256 million for alleged drug testing violations, in addition to evidence released by the California Workers Compensation Institute verifying urine drug testing is on the rise, has prompted calls for vigilance in auditing of drug testing programs.
Dr. Adam Richardson, Director of Physician Services for Claims Eval, a national Independent Review Organization, points to ‘troubling statistics’ in urine drug testing policies, especially in light of CWCI’s announcement that urine drug tests have increased from 10.2% of work comp lab services in 2002 to 59.1% in 2014.
Richardson cited an article he authored in March 2015, http://www.claimseval.com/claims-eval-news/ calling for the urgent need to audit drug testing programs even as the use of such programs are increasingly pervasive.
“An audit we recently performed for our own client revealed some real concerns, and vigilance is necessary when implementing testing programs in Workers’ Compensation, and nationwide across all lines of insurance.”
Claims Eval is a URAC-accredited IRO providing services to the Workers Compensation, Disability, Auto, Liability and Group Health markets. Richardson said the company offers comprehensive audits to determine validity of drug testing programs.
He also pointed out that he will be in attendance at National Workers' Compensation & Disability Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 11-13th, 2015, and “welcomes any questions or comments” on the issue.
About Claims Eval
Claims Eval is a URAC accredited Independent Review Organization providing timely, objective and conclusive reviews to the Workers’ Compensation, Disability, Auto, Liability and Group Health markets. Our national peer review panel of credentialed, licensed, board-certified, active practice physicians, are continuously keeping abreast of new developments and standards of care in their fields.
Claims Eval is committed to providing objective, defendable, evidence-based, peer-to-peer consultation surrounding medical necessity, causality and appropriateness of care.
The cases that will be dismissed as part of the settlements are captioned United States ex rel. McGuire v. Millennium Laboratories, Inc., No. 12-cv-10132 (D. Mass.), United States ex rel. Uehling v. Millennium Laboratories, Inc. et al., No. 12-cv-10631 (D. Mass.), United States ex rel. Omni Healthcare Inc. v. Millennium Laboratories, Inc., No. 13-cv-10825 (D. Mass.), United States, et al., ex rel. Estate of Robert Cunningham v. Millennium Laboratories of California, Inc., No. 09-cv-12209 (D. Mass.); United States, et al., ex rel. Wendy Johnson v. Millennium Laboratories, Inc., No. 12-cv-12387 (D. Mass.), United States ex rel. Allstate Insurance Co. and Lawrence K. Spitz, M.D. v. Millennium Laboratories, Inc., No. 14-cv-14276 (D. Mass.), United States ex rel. Amadeo Pesce, Ph.D. v. Millennium Health, No. 15-cv-10821 (D. Mass.), and United States ex rel. Omni Healthcare Inc. v. Millennium Laboratories, Inc., No. 14-cv-13052 (D. Mass.).
Michael Hamby, ClaimsEval, http://www.claimseval.com, +1 (916) 797-9997, [email protected]
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