Post Op Prescribing for Treating Physicians

Policy for Chronic pain patients who require short-term analgesics for acute pain problems (Examples are fractures, operative procedures, acute medical illnesses such as kidney stones, etc.):

1. It is acceptable and encouraged that treating physicians provide patients a time limited supply for no more than 30 days to treat acute pain problems. We understand that treating physicians who have experience in treating acute pain related to conditions in their scope of practice know best the appropriate management and therefore should oversee any acute pain prescription required.

2. Please do not ask the patient to use their chronic pain medication to treat acute pain problems. These medications are closely accounted for and any use outside of agreed upon directions is considered a violation of the opiate consent agreement and grounds for discharge from pain management programs.

3. It is the responsibility of the patient to communicate that additional opiate analgesics were prescribed. This will be reconciled with the online state-controlled substance database and with their urine toxicology screens.

4. Due to preauthorization requirements by insurance companies, we recommend that opiate analgesic molecules different from those prescribed for chronic pain be used for short-term acute pain analgesia.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office to discuss your patient’s care.