For patients requesting Pain Management or that are referred to our center for Pain Management, the following will apply --->

PAIN MANAGMENT COMPLIANCE PROCEDURE FOR THIS PRACTICE, AS PER:

• New Mexico Senate Bill 215
• NM Medical Board Title 16, Chapter 10, Part 14 - Rule regarding Management of Pain with Controlled Substances
  

In order to comply with the above regulations and guidelines and to further the safe use and prescription of controlled substances for our patients that require pain management, the current office procedure will require the following:

- The frequency of routine medication follow-up for the renewal of prescriptions for controlled substances will depend on a particular patient's individual case specifics, as well as the following:

• the type of controlled substance prescribed
• the DEA Federal Class level of the controlled substance prescribed
• the number of controlled substances prescribed.
• the total quantity of medication prescribed
• any particular concerns the physician may have regarding the patient's use and safe-keeping of their medication

- With the above in mind, medication follow-up for refills may be required at monthly intervals, varying from: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 months.

- If significant medication use and/or safe-keeping issues supervene, then a patient may be seen as often as every  1-2 weeks, until the problem is resolved.

- Routine drug testing, either in the form of urine or oral fluids toxicology will be performed at each visit. The patient will be responsible for any cost incurred.

- The New Mexico Prescription Monitoring Program that tracks a patient's prescriptions filled for controlled substances, the pharmacy used and the prescribing doctor, will be queried on a regular basis. Any irregularities found that cannot be adequately explained, may result in a patient being dismissed from the practice.

- A Physician-Patient Controlled Substances Agreement must be signed by the patient.



1. Before an initial appointment is given, the following is required.

• Patient must currently have a Primary Care Physician (PCP).

• Patient must have seen the PCP within the last 3 months.

• The referring doctor (or PCP) must complete and fax to us our Referral Form.

• The referring doctor (or PCP) must fax to us copies of the patient's first and last two visits the patient had with them.

• Patient must sign a Controlled Substances Agreement (see pages 7-10 of New Patient Packet), prior to seeing the doctor and must not be in violation of any other Physician or Healthcare Provider’s Controlled Substances Agreement.

2. At the patient's First Visit:

• A complete history and examination will be performed.

• Tests such as MRI, CT, XR, EMG may be necessary and ordered to identify a treatable problem.

• If a problem is identified that can be treated by a nerve block or surgical procedure, the patient may be referred for additional consultation.

• Depending on our doctor's assessment of the patient’s case, the patient's current pain medications may be modified.