Monday, February 26, 2018

Medical Board rolls out updated opioid amendments & economic impact statement

The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure posted  updated amendments to its prescription regulations and an economic impact statement on the Secretary of State's website.  A hearing will be held on the economic impact statement on March 7 at 1:00 PM.  The amendments to regulation 2640 and the economic impact statement are posted below.  JJ hasn't been able to fully review the filings but here are some highlights:

*The economic impact is expected to be minimal overall but substantial to those actually affected by the amendments.
*Doctors can write prescription for acute, non-cancerous/terminal pain for ten days and write a refill for another ten days.
*"Point of service drug testing must be done at least three times per calendar year when Schedule II medication  is  written for the treatment  of  chronic non-cancer/non-terminal pain."








18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it just be easier for the Legislature to mandate that ALL doctors join the state's prescription monitoring program instead of what's in place now? Of course, you'd have to get it past the MSBML/MSMA/MPHP machine.

Anonymous said...

I guess this is a stupid question, but: If a doctor has me on pain meds following surgery and my pain has continued through my post surgery followup visit and well into the second month, and he has me pee in a cup, wouldn't anybody with walking-around-sense expect that I will test positive for opioids?

Anonymous said...

11:49, I take hydrocodone daily for spinal pain not remedied by surgery or PT or chiropractic care. While it doesn't relieve my pain completely, it does at least allow me to function most days vs staying immobile. I have taken this medication daily for some time now, and my prescriber screens me regularly. My [lay person] understanding is that those tests obviously aren't expected to turn up a 0 level of the narcotic, but rather to detect misuse and abuse of same. I have to think that I speak for many of us who depend on these types of medications just to live somewhat normal lives--we don't mind the regular screens. I *want* my prescriber (or anyone else) to be completely assured that I am not misusing or abusing my prescription medication. I have no firsthand knowledge of this whatsoever, but what I was told just last week is that Mississippi's opioid deaths are primarily due to heroin or fentanyl, often somehow purchased on the internet--not the Lortab or Norco that poor schleps like me are carefully rationing just to get through the workday without having to leave early. I know it's a complicated situation, but there are definitely several sides to it, and not all pertain to abuse or misuse.

Anonymous said...

Guilty until proven innocent. That is the Marshall Fisher way.

Anonymous said...

A couple of other reasons are to make sure you are not mixing with and / or abusing other med your doctor prescribing isn’t aware of.
And, also to make sure you still have SOME in your system and aren’t selling them on the street.

Anonymous said...

Because, of course, if you don't have SOME in your system YOU MUST BE selling them on the street. NO QUESTION, YOU MUST BE selling them on the street.

Anonymous said...

Have any of you experienced this drug-screening process yet? I did, several months ago....not for a refill but for the initial prescription. I was not prepared for the cost....which was well over $400. So, yeah, I'd say the "economic impact" for "those affected" is going to be substantial. ....and very likely to force people to chose between constant, debilitating pain or paying the rent. And some will opt to buy from the local street corner vendor since the overall cost for that option is probably less than the cost of getting them legally.

Anonymous said...

The reason for the drug screen is to see if you are taking any unprescribed drugs. I had to choose between weed and the pain pills. With some of the higher quality medical grade weed on the street that gives you the same relief, it's much easier to get the weed and it's not addictive.

Anonymous said...

Marijuana is psychologically addictive.

Anonymous said...

I thought we were concerned about the poor not being able to access medical care/medicine. A $400 out of pocket charge for a drug screen is not realistic for a lot of people. Will insurance/Medicare/Medicaid cover this cost of getting access to pain meds? Will patients be arrested/turned in if their drug screen turns up something else? Will patients be turned away if their tests show no opioids in their system? Who is keeping up w/ all that? Patients are getting the shaft...again.

Anonymous said...

$400 - a bargain!!

https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/health/patient-blindsided-$17,850-urine-test-that-insurer-said-was-worth-100/a3CNMfN4GwBqh7fVeJADdM/amp.html

Anonymous said...

@ 1:41pm

So is Jackson Jambalaya. You can probably make a case for anything you enjoy as being "psychologically addictive".

Anonymous said...

Its all about the money...my last DT for a scheduled visit had increased 55% from the last DT 3 months ago. Due to a high deductible, it makes the cost of the scheduled visit 8x what the 1 prescription costs. Meanwhile little is being done about the heroin crossing the border.

Bankrupt states are looking at this as the next Tobacco jackpot lawsuits. In sept of 2017, 41 state AG were looking at manufacturers as targets for lawsuita.

Anonymous said...

If I have to pay 400 for a drug test for ANYTHING out of pocket, I’m f’n moving. I have the resources to do so. You can have your fantasy socialist collective police state plantation. My fire eating ancestors wouldn’t have stood for this crap, you damn carpet baggers.

This is a tax. Malaysia, Mexico, etc. all have cheaper costs of living AND healthcare. Expatriation is on the table while you’re taking our rights away.

Anonymous said...

The Secretary of State has issued a very important statement. Please see this quotation: "It is roughly estimated that most point of service urine screens cost less than $5. per screen inasmuch as a full quantitative urine analysis [sic] is not necessary."

Because insurance companies (and Medicare) do not pay for services which are not reasonable or necessary, this means that patients should not be billed more than $5 for the "point of service" urine screen. Patients can carry the Secretary of State's announcement with them to the doctor's office.

"Point of service" urine drug screens are not a defined services in CPT (Current Procedural Terminology, the accepted AMA coding book). From a scientific perspective, these not to exceed "$5" tests are practically worthless. There are so many false positives and false negatives as to be considered about the as good as flipping a coin.

Physicians, patients, and the public should be alarmed by the Secretary of State's lack of medical knowledge. The descriptor "...a full quantitative urine analysis" is not a medical or scientific term and usually refers to looking at the urine for white blood cells, bacteria, and the like.

In summary, it appears a very poor test (e.g., urine dipstick) will be performed in the office. These tests will have many false positives and false negatives. No confirmation tests "are necessary." The test will not cost the patient more than $5. Stupidity prevails.

Anonymous said...

"Mexico, etc. all have cheaper costs of living AND healthcare. "

Right, that's why there are 30 million or so undocumented Americans living in Mexico right now,enjoying that high quality (and free!) health care. Nobody from Mexico ever comes here, do they? /sarcoff

Anonymous said...

6:49 - don't you know? You haven't been told? Our MS SOS knows all! His opinion trumps all other. How dare you question his medical knowledge, or his absolute total background in insurance payments. I cannot believe KF even allowed such heresy.

Anonymous said...

6:49’s sarcasm prompted me to chuckle, but more often than not, Delbert IS correct at the end of the day. The comment caused me to think of times when he’s been wrong and I can’t recall any. Commenters, any examples? Looking for serious help here as I ponder 2019 and lean towards Dilbert.


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Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


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In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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