New opioid prescribing limits take effect September 1

TMB FINAL RULES ON PAIN MANAGEMENT LEGISLATION AVAILABLE HERE

(See related article on changes to the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program requirements.)
 

Texas lawmakers recently passed several bills imposing new opioid prescribing requirements on physicians.

House Bill 2174 — Prescribing limits effective September 1, 2019

This legislation places a 10-day limit on opioid prescriptions for acute pain. (Cancer and chronic pain management prescriptions are exempt).

“Sec. 481.07636 (b) For the treatment of acute pain, a practitioner may not: (1) issue a prescription for an opioid in an amount that exceeds a 10-day supply; or (2) provide for a refill of an opioid.”
 

House Bill 2174, House Bill 3285, House Bill 2454 — CME requirements effective September 1, 2019

Three different bills were passed requiring physicians to complete CME in opioid prescribing and management. The Texas Medical Board will determine the final CME rules related to opioids and will provide a list of approved opioid CME courses.

We will keep you updated, as this is a developing issue and changes could still be made between now and September 1.
 

House Bill 2174 — E-prescribing by January 2021

A provision in this bill will require physicians to e-prescribe Schedule II drugs beginning January 1, 2021.