It’s not an exaggeration to say that opioid painkillers have been a scourge on society in the past couple decades. In the 1990s, doctors were taught across the country that these dangerous pills weren’t addictive when they were actually one of the most addictive substances on the planet. Addiction rates are still highest in the states where they were prescribed for anything from a slightly sore back to an eye infection. However, for some people, there are really no other options out there, making this a controversial and hotly debated topic for many. Still a popular prescription for many in pain regardless of who’s right and who’s wrong, a tax on them could raise workers premiums across the board.
Money and Addiction
The Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act was recently proposed by 7 senators, and suggested that there should be a 1% tax on each milligram of the active ingredients in the painkillers. This could generate up to $2 billion based on current prescription rates, and the money would paradoxically be designated to building more addiction centers and facilities.
Who Pays It All?
Well, ostensibly it will be the insurance carriers dishing out these potential billions of dollars, which will ultimately cause everyone’s premiums to rise. Of course, workers comp isn’t addressed in the bill as it’s meant to propose a solution for addiction, but it’s not clear if the lawmakers know or even care about the types of ripple effect that will be seen across the board for those who will cover the costs. Medical practitioners often receive major kickbacks from their pharmaceutical partners, and they have no monetary incentive to stop prescribing as they do now. While those who can only take opioids are exempt from the tax (as are cancer and hospice patients), it still means that insurance companies will have to shoulder the burden.
A Change in Behavior
No one knows what this law will do in practice, but it will likely mean that insurance companies may start putting pressure on doctors to start claiming that a patient has no other choice but to be on these particular types of painkillers to avoid the tax. In an ideal world, it will hopefully mean less unnecessary prescriptions which will lead to fewer unnecessary addictions. However, some have speculated that the real problem here will be with rising workers comp costs. Between the people who have chronic back pain and those who experience one-off accidents, there are many people who take these pills and those prices will add up quickly. Talk to your insurance carrier and ask their opinion about the potential act and how it would affect their business and yours.
