Waiver for Chronic Pain Patients Extended by Governor Abbott

Date: 05/11/20

Please note: This waiver has been extended. Please review the latest article for full details.

Governor Greg Abbott today approved the Texas Medical Board's request to extend the previously issued waiver which temporarily suspends Title 22, Chapter 174.5 (e) (2)(A) of the Texas Administrative Code, as the measure is still necessary to protect public health by providing patients access to ensure on-going treatment of chronic pain and curbing the spread of COVID-19. The suspension is in effect for only 30 days or 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, whichever is shorter.

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.