Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
Retail vs Mail Order Drug Prescribing: Trends and Costs in the Workers’ Compensation System – A Preliminary Study Using Pharmacy Benefit Management Data for Ankle Sprain Claims
Objective: This study examines trends and cost disparities between retail and mail order pharmaceutical dispensing within the workers’ compensation system. Method: Pharmacy benefit management (PBM) data were obtained for ankle sprain claims filed with a nationwide workers’ compensation carrier between 2012-2024. Results: During the study period, the ratio of mail order versus retail pharmacies scripts increased. Mail order prescriptions demonstrated higher cost ratios per unit (pill) than retail pharmacies for opio …