New Opioid Policy from my Health Network

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

Visited my physician today. Upon leaving his staff asked me if I had received notice of their health system's new opioid policy. I had not, so they handed me a copy. I read it and just said "wow". But they got to do what they got to do. It read:

"Please be aware that Blah Blah Health Network will be changing the policy of prescribing Opioids. If you or a family member of our office takes a controlled substance, it will be mandatory for all patients to fill out a new controlled substance agreement, pill counts on all office visits and for urine drug screening.

If any are refused, the patient will be referred to a pain management facility (or you can choose one) and/or psychiatrist.

No opioids will be prescribed by our office if there is a refusal of any part of this policy."

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

Sounds good to me. It's a step in the right direction.

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

This has been the policy for my physician and their practice for quite a few years. Maybe it's my state, I don't know, but only a specialist can prescribe an opiate.

My sons' pediatrician prescribes all his opiates as his neurologist is out of state. Our pediatrician is classified as a "specialist" btw.

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

It's about time! Now that dr's are getting locked up for overprescribing - I guess these facilities are getting a wake-up call. The pain management places have much more control over prescribing than doctor offices. They have a strict regimen for patients. Something's gotta be done - good start, but a long way to go. A dr here in town got prison for overprescribing - it was well known you could go to him if you wanted pain pills.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

I can understand them needing to crack down on fraud ..... BUT ...... when people with legitimate chronic pain can't get the relief they need, then something has to be done.

Bri36 · ‎02-20-2017

They have to do something. I think it's a step in the right direction.

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

I want to interject something here regarding Pain Management Clinics:

I have VERY little respect for them as I've spent the past 7 years visiting them, trying to get my son into one, discussing treatment (well, the LACK of treatment they actually offer) and meeting with doctors at the best hospitals in the US who, I discovered, don't really recommend/believe in the use of them (unless one is part of THEIR hospital).

The vast majority of these clinics are owned by podiatrists. They do NOT have to be on the premise to dispense or write an Rx. They are revolving doors and some of the worst are located in Florida. My son was in one (not in Florida) that cost us $75,000 for 3 weeks and was affiliated with the Mayo Clinic. In the end, it was decided that he would need to be on opiates and well, have a nice day.

Pain clinics are often where the addiction is truly fed. Clinics (not all; most) want quick turn-around patients meaning you can give them drugs and eventually their cause of pain WILL go away but if they get hooked on the meds; oh well, sucks for them. I know because I've spoken with too many to count as to what pain they DON'T work with and in every single case, it's pain that truly has no cure.

IMHO, this is just passing the buck to those who are already making money and will now make MORE money off this situation. At least your primary care doc could monitor you; pain clinics are a whole different beast.

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
I can understand them needing to crack down on fraud ..... BUT ...... when people with legitimate chronic pain can't get the relief they need, then something has to be done.

I wasn't thinking about this in terms of fraud, but more of addiction.

If someone is in pain, and needs the meds, they would oblige and sign the paperwork.

I would think.

I mean, who would/should refuse?

And if it's a chronic pain issue, then a pain management clinic would be the only option. There, the patient can be treated, monitored, etc. properly.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Lucky Charm wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
I can understand them needing to crack down on fraud ..... BUT ...... when people with legitimate chronic pain can't get the relief they need, then something has to be done.
I wasn't thinking about this in terms of fraud, but more of addiction.

If someone is in pain, and needs the meds, they would oblige and sign the paperwork.

I would think.

I mean, who would/should refuse?

And if it's a chronic pain issue, then a pain management clinic would be the only option. There, the patient can be treated, monitored, etc. properly.

@Lucky Charm

I get the impression you've never been to a pain management clinic for chronic pain. They all aren't always "superior" to going to one's physician .... and it shouldn't be assumed that the MD will treat them IMPROPERLY. I'm not sure why you think all docs aren't capable.

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

@Lucky Charm Pain Management Clinics don't do long term monitoring; that's the fallacy that many fall for when they start at one. It's also why so many become addicted after attending one. There is also the situation that health insurance rarely covers it; I'm waiting for THAT to become a huge issue..... and rightly so.