SB 743
Creating exemption to prescription limitations for mid-level providers
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill proposes an exemption to West Virginia’s prescription limits for Schedule II opioid drugs, specifically for mid-level providers working under the supervision of a physician medical director and employed exclusively by a licensed hospice provider. The exemption would allow these providers to prescribe comfort medications for end-of-life care within a hospice setting, subject to auditing by the physician medical director to ensure compliance with controlled substance monitoring requirements. The bill also outlines specific requirements for prescribing practices, including thorough medical histories, physical examinations, and patient contracts.
Key provisions
- Creates an exemption for mid-level providers (employed by hospice) to prescribe comfort medications for end-of-life care.
- Requires mid-level providers to be licensed and supervised by a physician medical director.
- Requires mid-level providers to be exclusively employed by a licensed hospice provider.
- Mandates physician medical director auditing of prescribing practices.
- Requires a thorough medical history and physical examination before prescribing.
- Requires a narcotics contract with patients.
- Specifies requirements for the narcotics contract, including limiting prescriptions to a single practitioner and pharmacy.
- Pharmacists are not responsible for enforcing prescription limits.
Who is affected
- Mid-level healthcare providers (Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants)
- Licensed hospice providers
- Patients receiving hospice care
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