Dear Valued Patient,
We write to inform you of a new law that may impact your next physician visit. Beginning January 1, 2018, the Controlled Substance Abuse Act, aimed at curbing the opioid epidemic, goes into effect and will alter patient care as it relates to the prescribing of controlled substances. If you or a loved one receive or will receive a prescription for a controlled substance, you should be aware that you will likely experience a change in processes that may extend the length and frequency of your doctor visits.
Here are some of the changes you may experience under this new law:
Prior to being prescribed a narcotic, your physician will be required to: (1) run a report on your prescriptions through a state-wide prescription database, (2) obtain your written informed consent to receive prescribed controlled substances for pain; and (3) evaluate you for possible risk of addiction or dependence on controlled substances. As part of that process, you may be asked sensitive questions intended to assist you and your physician in understanding the risks and benefits of a course of treatment using controlled substances.
In addition, your initial prescriptions and refills may be limited in days and dosage and for treatment lasting 30 days or more, you will be required to enter into a prescription medication agreement. Your provider may also require you to submit to screenings and other diagnostic tests.
These new mandated requirements have been put in place to provide guidance to health care providers, to inform and empower you the patient to take an active role in your treatment, and to reduce the opioid epidemic in Nevada.
We appreciate your patience with us as we work through implementation of this new law. During this process, we are committed to continuing to provide you with the best possible patient care.
If you have any questions about these new requirements or our practice’s policies and procedures, please contact us at 775-323-2080.
Sincerely,
Sierra Neurosurgery Group