Safety & Health: Preventing Chronic Pain & Potential Opioid Use

The impact of opioid addiction is a complex and pressing issue that poses significant challenges for the workforce and economy. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that more than 50,000 people died in 2022 from drug overdoses and that opioids played a role in more than 80% of those deaths. Additionally, the CDC reports that with respect to almost two-thirds of overdose deaths, there was at least one opportunity for intervention, highlighting the importance of early recognition and involvement.¹

Using our data and analytics to help reduce addiction

By analyzing workers compensation claim data, Travelers created the Early Severity Predictor^® model, which can help identify an injured employee’s likelihood of experiencing chronic pain by using weighted predictors at key points during the life of a claim. By adjusting medical care and resources, the Early Severity Predictor model can help address potential drivers of chronic pain – a condition that is largely treated with opioids or other painkillers – and reduce the risk of opioid addiction.

This program has benefited more than 110,000 injured employees since its inception in 2015. In addition to improving the recovery experience for tens of thousands of injured employees, the program has resulted in loss-cost savings of more than $150 million by helping reduce surgeries performed and opioids prescribed. We apply this model to all of the lost-time workers compensation claims we receive.

Opioid addiction and the construction industry

Construction sites present health and safety risks that can lead to worker injuries, such as strains, sprains, broken bones and head traumas, which can result in chronic pain and opioid treatment. Many workers compensation claims submitted to Travelers from the construction industry involve opioid prescriptions. To help curb prescription opioid abuse, we use our Early Severity Predictor alongside our comprehensive pharmacy management program, which monitors drug interactions, excessive dosing and abuse patterns to reduce the risk of opioid dependency. With these two efforts combined, we have seen a nearly 50% reduction in the use of opioids among the injured construction workers we have helped since 2014.

Furthermore, our nurses and Claim professionals create specific action plans for injuries that often include physical therapy and other interventions to prevent acute pain from becoming chronic. This approach is particularly important for the construction industry, where Travelers claim data show that injured employees who suffer from chronic pain can be out of work for significantly longer periods of time than those in other industries.

Engaging injured employees in recovery

Employers can also help injured employees return to work by implementing a post-injury management strategy. This is a key part of the Travelers Corridor of Care^® process, which takes a systematic and positive approach to handling employee injuries. Responding promptly to injuries and providing attentive medical case management can help with an injured employee’s recovery. This type of active management can help an injured employee return to work as soon as medically appropriate. Helping employees recover from their injuries can also have a positive ripple effect within an organization, helping to prevent disruptions in production, quality and morale. In addition, Travelers continues to support research initiatives and make investments in new solutions to help injured employees through the claim process and enhance engagement through CustomCare^SM.

These programs deliver on the Travelers Promise and illustrate the shared value we create for our customers, their employees, our communities and our shareholders.

To read more about how we help prevent chronic pain and potential opioid use for our customers and their employees, please visit the Employee Wellness page of our corporate website.

¹ Center for Disease Control State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), data updated December 2023.