Brian Allen
VP of Government Affairs, Mitchell Pharmacy Solutions, An Enlyte Company
In the wake of COVID-19, a number of states have begun relaxing time frames and other rules around the provision of care for their citizens, including injured workers. Almost every state has declared an emergency in an effort to secure their share of federal disaster relief funds related to the outbreak. This declaration allows for the governors and agencies to adapt to the evolving crisis.
In an effort to support social distancing, states are relaxing rules on telemedicine and allowing for its broader use. Many states are allowing pharmacies to fill medications early and to obtain life-saving medication refills even if the prescription has expired. In keeping with these changes, Mitchell ScriptAdvisor has enacted its emergency protocols nationally, allowing for early refills and longer refills to maintain care continuity for injured workers.
Specific to workers' compensation, many of the reporting and billing time frames are being waived for the near future. Agency hearings and other administrative proceedings are being handled electronically or are being postponed. The workers' compensation agencies across the country have transitioned to a home-based work environment for most, if not all, of their staff, but they are still fielding questions and reacting to the changing guidance from the CDC. Right now, the situation in most states is changing daily.
COVID-19 resources for the states and their workers' compensation agencies are at the links below: