Waiver extended for chronic pain patients
Updated July 30, 2021
April 9, 2020
In March 2020, the Texas Medical Board (TMB) announced that state requirements for chronic pain patients had been temporarily suspended by Governor Greg Abbott. The suspension — taken in response to the COVID-19 crisis — has been extended until October 13, 2021, "or for the duration of the time period that the Governor’s disaster declaration of March 13, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is in effect . . . "
This new extension was announced by the TMB on July 30, 2021. (1)
"The extended waiver continues to allow for telephone refill(s) of a valid prescription for treatment of chronic pain by a physician with an established chronic pain patient. The physician(s) remains responsible for meeting the standard of care and all other laws and rules related to the practice of medicine. The standard of care must still be maintained related to the treatment of chronic pain patients." (2)
This temporary suspension of Title 22, Chapter 174.5(e)(2)(A) of the Texas Administrative Code ("Limitation on Treatment of Chronic Pain") is intended to help chronic pain patients maintain continuity of care and avoid adverse consequences from abruptly running out of their pain medication.
"This waiver follows the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announcement that health care professionals can prescribe controlled substances, including opioids, via telemedicine during the current coronavirus public health emergency." (3)
Sources
1.Emergency rule related to issuance of prescriptions renewed. Texas Medical Board. July 30, 2021 (email communication).