Legal Resources
This section includes resources to help healthcare providers navigate opioid-related legal requirements and better understand recent opioid-related legislation.
Establishing a “Bona Fide” Patient-Provider Relationship
As required by Public Act 247 of 2017, Michigan prescribers must be in a bona fide prescriber-patient relationship prior to prescribing Schedules 2-5 controlled substances for more than 7 days. As stated in the Public Act 101 of 2018, the effective date for the bona fide prescriber-patient relationship is required by 3/31/19.
Please refer to the Public Act 249 of 2017 for sanctions for failing to comply with the new MAPS usage mandates, failure to establish bona fide prescriber-patient relationships, and failure to inform patients regarding the risks associated with prescription opioid drugs.
Patient-Provider Pain Management Agreement
A pain management agreement is designed to establish a bona fide patient-provider relationship. This agreement can be used for ongoing use of opiate (Narcotic) medication(s) aimed to protect the patient’s access to controlled substances and protect the physician’s ability to prescribe.
Download a Michigan specific sample Word template now:
Sample Pain Management Agreement
Edit this sample agreement as needed to use in your clinical practice.
Your patients should understand their rights
Your patients have rights related to drug use, opioids, and prescribing. At the bottom of this page, you’ll find resources you can share with your patients to help them understand their rights.
Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System
Click on this link to access the Prescription Drug Abuse Policy website which is funded by The National Institute on Drug Abuse to track key state laws related to prescription drug abuse.
LARA: Summary of Michigan Laws & Regulations
Access a summary of recently passed opioid-related laws in Michigan.
MI Automated Prescription System (MAPS)
Click here to access information on a tool used by prescribers and dispensers to track controlled substances, manage patient risk and prevent drug abuse and diversion.
Download a MAPS Poster for your office or clinic
Display this MAPS poster in your office to inform patients why you check their history in MAPS before prescribing opioid pain relievers.
Understanding NarxCare Scores
NarxCare scores is a non-validated tool utilized by MAPS to evaluate patient risk of overdose. Click here for information on interpreting NarxCare scores.
Disclaimer: Note that NarxCare scores have not been previously validated.
Informed Consent
Opioid Start Talking Form
As required by Public Act (PA) 246 of 2017, the start talking form is designed to satisfy new patient education and parental consent regulations regarding opioid prescriptions starting on 6/1/18.
This form must be completed and saved to the patient’s medical record only when prescribing an Opioid drug.
Download the Word template version of the form now:
LARA: Nonopioid Directives
For patients who do not want to be prescribed opioids, consider a nonopioid directive, available on the LARA website under “Additional Resources”
Download the Word template version of the form now: