Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Is it time to give up your DEA privileges?

The state of Maine has been implementing new laws to make the prescribing of opioids safer. Today, they released an emergency law which goes into effect January 1, 2017. Yes, two days ago. The PMP is the Prescription Monitoring Program. I recall about seven years ago a board user stating she no longer kept her DEA number, which made it easier to practice as far as dealing with drug seekers. For whatever reason, some of the statements in the law are duplicated. I read the entire thing but, honestly, had difficulty even understanding the requirements. I know there is an opioid epidemic but, as usual, in medicine and especially the government, the pendulum has swung from one end to the other. Just wondering what others think of the requirements in this document and if your state has enacted something similar. Keep in mind the distinction in the document between prescribers and dispensers. Also, when referring to veterinarians, they are talking about those who treat animals.

https://app.box.com/s/994szyyr37vktq5z5ylbu5pcm1yglvxw

I looked at your link and the link it sent me to. Both were highlights that suggested more substantial changes but neither seemed to give the actual changes. The Mainecare link gave a circuitous link back to itself.

It would appear that they are requiring all providers to register and check the PMP program for dispensing history. Beyond that, it becomes fuzzy. Was this previously a requirement.

The problem is that many hospitals require DEA. I'm not sure who else requires that as a baseline. Otherwise that $700+ every 3 years could go to better use and less headache (sorry to all my ADHD patients ).

I have to say this acronym seems particularly appropriate: MRSA. The Maine Revised Statutes Annotated.

Anyway I also reviewed the statutes and agree it refers you elsewhere to the actual changes. Looks like the big changes are writing the diagnosis on the scrip and checking PMP every so often? More added hassles that mean the individual doc will have to decide whether it's worth it to bother treating pain.

As far as giving up DEA number that's a bit extreme, possibly just give up schedule 2 authorization but that would mean no longer treating ADD.

I guess I will have to look at it again. The MMA summarized it. It is far more difficult than a DEA number which will be automatic. It was going to be check the PMP and attestation. Now, you will have to check at initial and every three months, and they will monitor. The criteria around the 100 morphine milligram equivalents are going to be difficult. You would think the only way to get chronic meds in if you have cancer or are dying. I am not making light of cancer pain, but is it a different pain than other types of pain?

Can't give up treating ADHD. Probably 25% of my practice and easier than treating conjunctivitis at the f/u visits.

I have always wanted to ask a pediatrician from New York state, not that pediatrician are different. I think just treat more ADHD. But, for various reasons, and it's hard to continue to put a finger on it, but we always have at least 10 to 15 scripts a day to hand out to patients. Some are just three scripts for one script. Of course, MaineCare only allows 15 tablets first script, so you end up getting off between two strengths. We see all opioid patients, but there are reasons why they have to come in. Anyway, these scripts are generally printed and dated and waiting for me to sign. I quickly go over them and sign them. Takes all of one minute. But, now (and I love EPCS), I will have to go to my office and send them all via EPCS. That will take much longer.

At least I have found a workaround for the staff putting the pharmacy in a certain place so when I forget it after opening New Crop, I can still see it. Once you open it, you can't move AC, and most of the places they have put it like in the message, etc. is covered.

One pharmacist told me, and AC didnt know anything about NewCrop possibly doing this, there would be a queue where the staff could queue up controlled meds, and then I could simply go through and send them.