do all pain specialists require contracts

[Bea]

I live in NJ.. my father see's a pain management dr.. and not sure if he has one.. cause he gets pain meds from another dr too.. was wondering if all pain specialists in all states require this

[mlzippy7]

As far as I know most pain clinics do require the contract. It may be different in different areas but I know everyone that I have ever been to requires the contract.

[Bea]

what is the contract about.. I have always had my uro prescribe my pain meds, obviously without contracts

[Dolphjoy]

I've only had 1 pain doc so far but the contract I signed says that I agree to get pain meds from only my pain doc, that if I am offered them elsewhere, I need to explain to them that I am in a pain program, not to share my pain meds, sell them, etc. If I lose them, I need to file a police report, I am subject to pain pill counts, blood tests, etc.


I've heard some others who have pain contracts say that they can't go to ER's, but mine allows me to do so if I've done my pain regimen and it doesn't work and the pain clinic is not open.

I'm sure all pain contracts vary, but I hope this gives you somewhat of an idea.

Stephanie

[mlzippy7]

Here is an example. Like Stephanie said it is mostly so you only get the narcotics through one provider and use only one pharmacy!

PAIN MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT


I _________________________________________ understand that in order to receive care for the treatment of pain at A.A. Pain Clinic, Inc., I agree to and will comply with the following:

A. MENTAL HEALTH: A mental health assessment and/or continuing psychological therapy may be required. If I am currently involved in mental health therapy, or if I enter such therapy, I will authorize my mental health practitioner to exchange unrestricted information regarding my condition and treatment with the health care providers of A.A. Pain Clinic, Inc.

B. USE OF MEDICATIONS: I will take all medications as prescribed. I will speak with a provider of A.A. Pain Clinic, Inc. before making any change in either the dose or frequency of my medications. There will be no early refills of pain medications without prior authorization. Narcotic pain medications must all be obtained from the same pharmacy (any exception must be approved by A.A. Pain Clinic).

C. SEEKING PRESCRIPTIONS: I will neither seek nor fill prescriptions for any medications related to pain relief from any other health care provider unless authorized by A.A. Pain Clinic, Inc.

D. MEDICAL RECORDS RELEASES: I will inform all of my health care providers that I receive pain management through A.A. Pain Clinic, Inc. and will maintain an unrestricted and current medical records release on file with A.A. Pain Clinic.

E. DRUG SCREENING: I will participate in drug screening as a part of my treatment plan. I understand that drug screening will be conducted at least every 12 months and may be required more frequently at the discretion of A.A. Pain Clinic, Inc. Screening may include urinalysis, blood testing or pill counts. I agree to pay any and all costs associated with drug testing not covered by my insurance. Refusal to submit to screening at the time specified may result in termination of services.

F. ILLEGAL AND NON-PRESCRIBED DRUG USE: I understand that the use any controlled medication not prescribed by A.A. Pain Clinic may result in termination of care. I authorize A.A. Pain Clinic to cooperate fully with any city, state or federal law enforcement agency, including this state's Board of Pharmacy, in the investigation of any possible misuse, sale, or other diversion of my pain medicine. I authorize A.A. Pain clinic to provide a copy of this Agreement to my pharmacy. I agree to waive any applicable privilege or right of privacy or confidentiality with respect to these authorizations. I also understand that the use of any illegal substance, including marijuana, will result in termination of care by A.A. Clinic.

G. LOST OR STOLEN MEDICATIONS: I agree to safeguard all medications prescribed by A.A. Pain Clinic and understand that lost or damaged medications will not be replaced

H. PRESCRIPTIONS WHILE TRAVELING: A.A. Pain Clinic, Inc. may provide prescriptions for up to 90 days when patients are traveling out of state. Patients will have to arrange for shipment of controlled substances by their pharmacy at their own expense. Patients who will be out of state longer than 90 days need to arrange for health care at their travel destinations.

I. DRIVING & OPERATING EQUIPMENT: many pain medications can cause drowsiness and/or a very relaxed state of mind causing operation of equipment or vehicles to be dangerous. I agree to refrain from driving or operating dangerous equipment for 72 hours after any change in medication dosage and whenever I feel drowsy.

J. MISSED APPOINTMENTS: I will be charged $50 if I miss a routine appointment without first notifying the clinic. If I miss an appointment for a procedure (trigger point injection, epidural, etc.) without notifying the clinic, I will be charged $100.

K. TERMINATION: I will no longer be eligible for care at A.A. Pain Clinic if I am in possession of illicit drugs or substances, trafficking in controlled or illegal substances, intoxicated or if arrested for DUI. If I alter my prescription in any way, sell or share my medications, I will no longer be eligible for care at A.A. Pain Clinic.

Have you ever had any medical or legal problems with alcoholism, drug abuse (including marijuana), addiction or drug trafficking? Yes No. If yes, please explain:
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _________________________

Have you used any illegal drugs (including marijuana) within the past six months? Yes No
If yes, list the drugs you have used and when: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ __________________________________

Have you used any prescription drugs for which you did not have a personal prescription within the past six months? Yes No
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ __________________________________

[ICNDonna]

I think most pain management specialists do require a contract.

Donna

[Dixiefireball]

I don't see a pain management specialists, but I do receive my pain medicine from my uro that threats my IC and Hunners. Since I do receive pain medicine from him I did sign a contract. it isn't like the one above. I don't know if that has to do with the Dr. or maybe its the state, but two things that are the same is that I only receive my pain medicine from my uro and that I only use one drug store.
These contract don't only protect the Doctors they also protect the patients.
they are some exception to the rules in my contract.
hope this helps in some way.

Best Wishes
Rhonda

[Bea]

thanks for all your help ladies.. I truley do appreciate it.. I meet him for the first time tomorrow.. I have never seen one before, and this one doesn't even know about IC.. so I truley do not know what to expect

[mlzippy7]

Good Luck Bea! I hope you get the relief you need!