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Managing pain can be a complicated business. It takes the right combination of people, patience, and resources to make it work. It has many different aspects, including the flexibility of how pain medications can be used, drug testing, and the legal risks associated with patient abandonment. This article will cover each of these elements in detail and give you an idea of what to expect if you consider entering into a contract for pain management.nPrescription drug abusenTaking prescription medications like a jackass isn’t a pleasant experience. Still, you may be surprised to know that a slew of studies have concluded that it’s more prone to abuse and misuse than ingesting a high concentration of caffeine. To combat this tidal wave of drugs, the government has implemented various programs, such as the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan. The OMA (Office of Management and Budget) even has a website dedicated to this topic. The website’s most notable feature is its “Drug Prevention Resource Center,” a one-stop shop for all your prescription medication questions and concerns. The website is staffed by trained professionals and can help you keep your prescriptions under control.nTaking the time to learn about this subject can save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. You’ll also be on your way to a happier and healthier you, and that’s not something we can all take for granted. There are many prescription drug alternatives, and the OMA website can point you in the right direction. The website is free to use and has many resources at your fingertips. You can find out about the OMA’s upcoming programs and how to obtain the information you need to make informed decisions about your health.nFlexibility in how pain medication is to be usednTaking a pain pill is not something to be taken lightly. Aside from the obvious medical risks, prescription drugs can lead to various complications ranging from drowsiness to a shortened life span. For this reason, it is imperative to entrust your health to the correct physician. Having the right prescription can mean the difference between life and death. Luckily, many qualified practitioners can provide you with the care you deserve.nThe best way to do it is to find a pain management specialist and sign up for their services. While these doctors can’t cure your ailment, they can help alleviate the pain associated with dealing with a chronic condition. If your doctor is not up to snuff, you may want to look elsewhere. Fortunately, there are many other alternatives to the tried and true, including physical therapy and alternative medicine. The best part is you can do it all on a budget. You can also check out the dozens of free or low-cost pain management clinics that are cropping up all over the country. And if you are lucky enough to have one in your area, you are in for a treat. A pain management clinic can be the best thing you’ve ever done for your body and mind. The best pain management clinics offer a variety of pain management programs, including medication administration, rehabilitative therapy, and pain treatment and management. They also provide a variety of programs to help patients cope with depression, anxiety, and stress. Aside from the pain management clinic, many physicians are open to complementary medicine and can prescribe medications for oral surgery.nDrug testingnAmong the country’s top billers for urine testing was Comprehensive Pain Specialists, a Tennessee-based doctor-owned network of 54 clinics. In 2014, CPS earned more than $11 million in Medicare billings for tests than any other practice.nThe company has faced eight whistleblower lawsuits over the past decade. In one of those cases, the company’s sales manager reported earning $700,000 in commissions.nDrug screenings can be done in the doctor’s office or a commercial laboratory. A screening assay uses antibodies directed against a specific drug. Another type of screening assay uses mass spectrometry.nThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that patients on long-term opioid therapy get a urine test once a year. However, some medical trade groups disagree with the frequency. They say that more frequent examinations are not necessary.nPhysicians who prescribe controlled substances face increasing pressure to prevent the abuse of these drugs. In some cases, they could be liable for medical malpractice, criminal prosecution, or even lose their medical license.nAccording to a recent article, “the rapid growth of drug testing is a major concern to government officials, who have warned of an explosion in illicit street drugs and a spike in the number of people using opioids.”nA CDC study found that one in four Americans report inadequate pain treatment. Similarly, the National Institutes of Health states that nearly 40 percent of pain patients are not receiving adequate analgesia.nMany pain patients are routinely tested for phencyclidine (PCP), a hallucinogenic drug. Other commonly prescribed medications are targeted. For example, tricyclic antidepressants, zolpidem, and ethanol are also on the list.nThe United States Attorney’s Office recently investigated a Florida clinic network. The clinics were accused of submitting false claims for tests. The clinics were billed for expensive second tests, which the government argued were unnecessary.nMillennium Diagnostics once topped Medicare’s urine-testing billings. It has since filed for bankruptcy. The company has denied allegations in several whistleblower lawsuits.nIn a March 2016 white paper, CDC guidelines said that urine drug testing is not a universal standard. Instead, it should be individualized for each patient.nLegal risks associated with patient abandonmentnThey have a physician break a pain management contract can cause legal risks associated with patient abandonment. These risks can arise when patients engage in disruptive or inappropriate behavior or failure to follow a treatment plan. When a doctor terminates a treatment relationship with a patient, they should follow a few simple steps.nThe first step to dismissing a patient is to give full notice. This will allow the patient to select another doctor to continue treating the person. It also allows the physician to give the patient a reasonable amount of time to pay the balance.nThe next step is to discuss with the patient why they want to continue the treatment. The patient should be informed about the health consequences of noncompliance. This will ensure that the patient is aware of their needed continued care.nThe physician’s decision to cease treatment should be documented in the patient’s medical records. The records should include the reason for the termination, the patient’s follow-up instructions, and the billing information. If the patient chooses to pursue a legal claim, they should have all this information.nA doctor must protect patients. They should never discharge a patient for economic reasons. They should also avoid needlessly incurring ill will. This will help reduce the risk of an abandonment claim.nPsychiatrists have a legal and ethical obligation not to continue treating a patient who is not benefiting from therapy. This is especially true in the case of a patient who is experiencing emotional distress. To avoid an abandonment lawsuit, the doctor should refer the patient to a mental health care center instead of a physician.nOften, patients who are treated for opioid addiction fail to adhere to the treatment plans. They miss appointments and engage in violent or disruptive behavior. A physician should have a counseling session with these patients to ensure that they understand the consequences of noncompliance.nPhysicians should document all the steps in the patient’s chart to ensure they are not liable for an abandonment claim. They should also be sure to record every step in the counseling process.