Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

Combating the Opioid Crisis:

OWCP’s Approach and Information on Opioid 

Use and Misuse
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

OWCP’s Approach to Combating the Opioid Crisis:

A Four Point Strategic Plan
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

Organizational Structure
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

Proactive Approach: Information sent to ALL who file in ECOMP 
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

A Focus on Claimants Newly Prescribed Opioids

 Targeted Communications to Claimants Upon Filling Opioid Prescription

 Targeted Communications to Providers Upon Filling Opioid Prescription

 Prescriptions Limited to 7-Day Supply

 Up to 4 (28 Days), then Provider Needs to Complete Form and Certify 

Medical Necessity of Continued Opioid Use for OWCP Review and Approval. 

Approval is Valid for 60 Days then Must Re-Submit for Review and Approval.

 Examples of Form Questions to Physician:

 If they accessed the requisite state Prescription Drug Monitoring program to ascertain the 

patient’s history of controlled substance prescriptions.

 Asks if they have discussed the risks of overdose or other adverse action with the patient, 

such as using opioids with alcohol and other sedating substances.

 If they evaluated the patient for risk of opioid use disorder or the possible need for 

medicated-assisted treatment

 Whether they evaluated the use of non-opioid alternatives.

 Asks about the patient’s use of benzodiazepines.
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

A Focus on Claimants Taking Opioids Long-Term since 2017

 Tailored Treatment

 Careful file review of medical conditions and circumstances of our injured 

workers receiving opioids. 

 Contact and work with the treating physician and injured worker to 

develop tailored treatment plans, such as a personalized reduction of 

strength in dosage that manage the injured worker’s pain while also 

gradually reducing the opioid dose level. 

 Assign field nurses to assist in the process and facilitate any requested 

treatment including any treatment for opioid use disorder.
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

A Focus on Any Claimant Taking Higher Opioid Doses

 Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) Services

• PBM contract awarded in November 2018, but there has been a series of bid protests filed by a disappointed offeror

at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). As a result, DOL has taken corrective actions including amending the 

solicitations, and re-evaluating revised proposals. A new award decision is expected to be issued. Procurement law, 

including the “automatic stay” provision of the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), have required the Department 

to hold off on fully implementing this contract. A partial override of the stay has been approved, allowing limited 

work to be performed under the awarded contract, specifically PBM services for claimants receiving 90 Morphine 

Equivalent Dose (MED) or higher of prescribed opioids. That work includes the following services for this limited set 

of claimants:

• The PBM prevents claimants with already-high levels of opioid use from increasing their dose levels unless an 

exception is granted.

• After performing a risk assessment, the PBM intervenes with prescribing physicians through Pharmacist-toPrescriber outreach, where trained medical professionals contact the patient’s physician to help ensure the 

proper level of opioid usage and that addiction treatment is provided if necessary.
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

Information on Opioid Use and Misuse from the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC)
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and 

Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC),

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs