Patient Agreement for the use of Opioid Medications
The purpose of this agreement is to give you information about the medications that may be part of your treatment plan while in treatment and to assure that you and your physician/health care provider comply with all state and federal regulations concerning the prescribing of controlled substances. A trial of opioid therapy can be considered for moderate to severe pain with the intent of reducing pain and increasing function. The physician’s goal is for you to have the best quality of life possible given the reality of your clinical condition. The success of treatment depends on mutual trust and honesty in the physician/patient relationship and full agreement and understanding of the risks and benefits of using opioids to treat pain.
Our Commitment to our Patients
SpecialistsMAT, PSC will make a commitment to work with you in your efforts to get better. To help you in this work, we agree that:
- We will ensure that your pain treatments will be as safe as possible.
- We will monitor your prescriptions and test for substance abuse to ensure you are taking your medications safely and correctly.
- We will recommend other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy, behavioral therapy, addiction counseling, and injection therapy, to help you with your pain condition and improve functioning.
- We will set treatment goals and monitor your progress in achieving those goals.
If you are prescribed opioid medications as part of your pain treatment plan, you agree to the following conditions:
I agree that all medications for the control of my pain will ONLY be prescribed by a SpecialistsMAT provider. I will not request or accept opioid pain medication from any other source while I am receiving such medication from my provider at SpecialistsMAT.
I understand that my first office visit may be a consultation only and pain medication may not be prescribed at that time if further investigation and/or testing is deemed necessary.
I agree to participate in all other types of treatment that I am asked to participate in by my provider at SpecialistsMAT.
I understand that my pain medications are prescribed for my use only. I will not share, trade, or sell my pain medications to anyone else.
I agree to use my pain medications exactly as prescribed including the prescribed dose, time or frequency, and route.
I agree to keep my pain medicine safe, secure, and out of the reach of children. If the medicine is lost or stolen, I understand it will not be replaced until my next appointment, and it may not be replaced at all.
I agree to provide SpecialistsMAT with information regarding any and all medication I am taking for any medical condition. If another physician/medical provider prescribes any new or additional medications, I agree to notify SpecialistsMAT immediately.
I agree to notify SpecialistsMAT if I am prescribed any medicines that can be addictive, such as benzodiazepines (Klonopin, Xanax, Valium) or stimulants (Ritalin, amphetamine).
I understand that if a new condition develops that causes acute pain, I have the right to expect appropriate treatment for that new condition from the provider treating me for the new condition. I should not be required to increase the use of my chronic pain medication for serious and new pain.
I agree not to use illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or amphetamines.
I understand that the combination of controlled substances and alcohol is contraindicated; the combination may result in serious harm or even death.
I agree to treat the staff at SpecialistsMAT respectfully at all times in person or over the phone. I understand that if I am disrespectful to staff or disrupt the care of other patients my treatment will be stopped. I understand that I (or any family member) may not litter or smoke in the parking lot outside our facility.
MONITORING
I understand that I must be re-evaluated on a regular basis by my provider at SpecialistsMAT. I agree to come in for all evaluations ordered by my provider at SpecialistsMAT. I understand that failure to schedule visits and/or failure to keep my appointments may result in SpecialistsMAT’s decision to stop providing further treatment to me.
I agree to submit to routine urine or saliva testing, if requested by my provider at SpecialistsMAT, to determine compliance with my pain treatment plan. If I fail to provide the sample when asked, I may forfeit the right to continue receiving pain medication.
I agree to mandatory periodic random drug screening and pill counts at the discretion of my SpecialistsMAT provider. I understand that I will be given 72 hours to appear for that appointment. I understand that I must make sure the office has current contact information in order to reach me. If I fail to provide the sample when asked, I may forfeit the right to continue receiving the pain medication. I understand that failure to show up for mandatory drug screens/pill counts will result in discharge from the practice.
Appointments and Refills
I understand that refills will be made only during regular office hours.
I understand that SpecialistsMAT will not provide early refills.
I understand that SpecialistsMAT will not mail prescriptions or print paper prescriptions.
I understand that missing appointments, canceling, or frequently rescheduling appointments with less than 24 hours advance notice may result in the discontinuation of my pain medication and discharge from the practice.
I agree to follow through on appointments that may help me with my chronic pain and functioning. This may include appointments for physical and occupational therapy, counseling and other mental health practices, neurosurgery, neurology, and orthopedics. Consistent failure to keep these appointments and therapies may result in the discontinuation of my pain medication and discharge from the practice.
Tolerance, Dependence, Addiction
I understand that some patients develop tolerance to pain medications (i.e., opioids). Tolerance means a state of adaptation in which exposure to the drug induces changes that result in a lessening of one or more of the drug’s effects over time. If tolerance develops, my pain medication may have to be adjusted (increased or decreased) as deemed by the SpecialistsMAT provider.
I understand that some of the pain medications (i.e., opioids) prescribed for my condition are controlled substances, and there is a risk of physical and psychological dependence. If this happens, I will follow the treatment plan set forth by the SpecialistMAT provider.
I understand that some of the pain medications (i.e., opioids) prescribed for my condition are controlled substances, and there is a risk of addiction. Addiction is defined as impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, and continued use of a drug despite harm or risk to the person. If this occurs, I may be referred to an addiction medicine specialist.
I understand that if it appears to the SpecialistMAT provider that there is no improvement in my daily function or quality of life from the controlled substance, my opioids may be discontinued. I will gradually taper my medication as prescribed by the physician.
I understand that stopping my pain medications abruptly may be dangerous and lead to withdrawal symptoms. If the medications need to be discontinued, I will do so gradually and only under the medical supervision of my SpecialistsMAT provider.
Patient Signatures
I authorize SpecialistsMAT to provide this agreement and my medical records and to discuss my condition, treatment, and prescribed medications with my pharmacist and other physicians and medical providers. I also agree to sign a release authorizing my other health care providers to provide my medical record to and to discuss my treatment plan with SpecialistsMAT.
I understand that if I violate or become non-compliant with any of the above conditions, my treatment at SpecialistsMAT may be terminated.
I understand that if any violation of this agreement involves breaking state or federal law, SpecialistsMAT may report the incident to police and regulatory authorities.
I have read the above information or it has been read to me and all my questions regarding the treatment of pain with opioids have been answered to my satisfaction. I hereby give my consent to participate in the opioid medication therapy and acknowledge receipt of this document.