I had to sign an pain management agreement with my PCP... is this normal?
Question posted by chronicpainhurts on 13 Feb 2010
Last updated on 4 May 2023 by jaypee
I had to sign a pain management agreement with my PCP which says that I can't get pain meds from any other Dr, even a pain mangagment specialist. I asked them, even if I get in a car accident, and they give me IV pain meds, and I am out of it, does that count and will they put me in rehab? They said "maybe, if they do not call the dr ahead of time"
Now, if I am semi-concious, can they do that? They said even if they SEND me to a pain management specialist, the PMS cannot give me pain meds... what? How the hell do I get around this one? I don't want to Dr shop, I just want the best Dr that will give me the best care, which would be a PMS... so why even go if they send me? If they won't let him do anything?
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
72 Answers Page 3
JA
jaypee
2 May 2011
U know what?that was just a smart --- answer.they had told me know more visits to the er.well i sad u need to make sure i dont have to go then.that was the dumbest thing i have ever heard.see i cant take too much i would have probably walked out.or i would have told then where they can put that contract... lol.smart azz.theese drs r getting on my last nerves.On the serious side,they can do whatever they want.what ever they want.i got sick out of town i kept calling them & reaching out letting them know all what was going on & they did a number on me.im fighting them now.they cut me off & everything.they wouldnt get me in to see the dr right away.now im in a mess.they dont care they just dont.if u find a good dr u better keep him/her.i wish u the best jaypee
Votes: +0
NI
Nik.Nikita
6 March 2011
Chronicpainhurts, are you still going to your pain specialist? I went to a pain specialist once, for me it was a very bad experience. I signed his contract because I wasn't planning on getting meds from any other doctor, and I didn't. However, after seeing him for about 6mo. And the occasional drug test, I received a letter in the mail releasing me from his practice because the letter said that I had gone to another doctor and received a prescription for more narcotics. I didn't ever do this, it never happened. So I drove the 2hrs. To his office and refused to leave until I could speak with him. I sat in his office feeling like I was being treated like some kind of criminal. I was being accused of something that I didn't do. The doctor has a pharmacy program in his computer that allows him to see if you have gotten meds from any pharmacy in any town in any state. After about 3hrs.
Of insisting that I was innocent, they checked and found out that I was telling the truth. they let me back into their practice A's if they were doing me a favor and I got my new prescriptions from him. Everything was o.k. For another few months and then I go for my monthly appt one day and they drug test me A's usual and I get my presc. And go home thinking everything is o.k. previously , whenever they did a drug test I would see the results right then in the lab and get a copy of the test. For some reason that day they refused to give me a copy or to tell me the results. I knew what the results should have been because I was following all of his rules. A couple of weeks later I receive another letter saying that something showed up on my test that he wasn't prescribing for me, so they were kicking me out again. I was so angry with them. I hadn't done anything wrong. But I had been on very strong pain meds from him and he just cut me off and left me to deal with it alone. I went through 10miserable days of detox. Thought I would have to die to feel better!! I decided right then and there that I was not ever going to be dependent on another doctor like that for anything ever again. After I went through detox I went to a Suboxone clinic and the doctor there started me on suboxone. it was a life saver. it's been over a year now since that happened but it left me with a very bad feeling towards doctors. I didn't do anything wrong but they treated me like I was a criminal. So, be very careful about what you sign!! Even though I was not doctor shopping or getting meds anywhere else, I still got screwed in that situation big time. he didn't care about me, if he did he should have at least weaned me down off of the meds and not just leave me out there cold. drug test are not accurate. I am living proof of it. Good luck! NIK
Votes: +1
IN
Inactive
12 Feb 2011
How many doctors who force you to sign pain management agreements are doing it for your sake, or for theirs?? Most do it to keep their medical malpractice insurance rates down. Doctors who choose to treat chronic pain are especially watched by the DEA, and their insurance carriers just get richer and richer (just in case someone kills themselves and sues the doctor). It is the insurance industry that is writing these laws, not the doctors. If you ever go into a large downtown, and see all these high rise buildings, look and see who's name is on the buildings. Guaranteed it is an insurance company. They are some of the richest companies in the world, and they CONTROL your personal world whether you realize it or not. The people who are yelling out about the new health care laws are speaking from the lies that the insurance companies are putting out. They don't care about you, they care about their bottom line.
They don't want to compete for price, and forced to take lower salaries. These are privately owned companies. Their CEO's make millions each year. They are the ones lobbying congress to stop the health care bill. It makes me sick, as my brother is one of the lobbyists for these companies, and I know first hand about their dirty little (or big) tricks. It is true that your PC gets pressure from partners not to write scripts for a chronic pain patient. The insurance company TELLS them what they can and cannot do. It all falls down to the bottom line. Who can make more money, not how can we get out of chronic pain.
One other comment to think about is, what is your doctor getting out of all this. How many doctors are they themselves drug addicts, who can hide their addiction through "pain management". I have had TWO PM doctors shut down for this very reason. Sorry if I rambled on too much, but this is a very sore subject for me. My husband and I are broke because of all my medical bills, and I HAVE insurance.
Votes: +1
LA
Ladynpaindaily
29 Jan 2011
Well I completely understand your frustration, but the docs nowadays have to do this so people won't overdose, and also so they won't be getting pills so they can get "high" or whatever. It is just a precaution. The thing is, if you should break a leg, or whatever and get a script from another doctor, you have to call your doctor you signed the agreement with and make sure it is okay with him before filling the script, otherwise legally he can quit seeing you and quit helping you. Your PCP SHOULD have sent you to a PMS and had that doc take care of your pain instead of him dealing with it. You might want to ask around your neighborhood or your town and see what kid of doctor this guy is in case he is a quack. I have known quite a few in my days. Unfortunately there is no way of getting around this, unless you just stop seeing your PCP and go to another physician and tell them you need a referral to a PMS and go from there. That is the only thing I can suggest to do. I hope this is helpful. Sincerely, Ladynpaindaily
Votes: +0
CA
caringsonbj
15 Jan 2011
I went through the exact same thing I questioned the doctor and here was the answer this is to protect me, you go to one pharmacy, get pain meds from one doctor if you are in an emergency situation all I expect is that as soon as my office is open is that I be notified by you (asap) that you are on medication due to a crisis.
also I would imagine it's like if you had to go to the hospital in an emergency and say they had to give you an IV pain med then you would need to tell them that you are seeing a pain doctor and you want them to noftify the doctor as soon as they can (office is open) good doctors (like the one I have) have to protect themselves when they write those prescriptions they have to be valid and upfront it is serious but all in all once you do the right thing and notify them as soon as you can (maybe that will not happen but you need to know all the answers) I hope I have been of help my doctor didn't say anything about drug rehab she just said she would not prescribe more medications if I made choices not to include and inform her as soon as possible but I did not get the impression that she would not take everything into account. take care
Votes: +1
ST
Steve396
21 Nov 2010
BS, if you need PMeds in the ER get them, but call if you can. If you can't and you PCP takes issue with it, get a new PCP. PCPs are easy to come by. PM are not. I would jump through hoops for a PM dr., but not a PCP. You PCP must be on PCP!
Votes: +3
BI
bionicalart
18 Nov 2010
i have seen several pain drs since i have moved.once you sign, you are a patient, and yes it is normal. it is for their protection!!! you may want to make yourself known to other pain drs by visit or fax, but do not take any scripts from them. let them know you have a dr, and do not sign their contract.if you change drs, get your files ahead of time, and then fire them. your primary should tell you, find a dr that is right, most just want the money. (ok, stop talking, your 15 minutes is up) if you are incoherent or semi, you are not responsible if you cant tell the emer doc you have a pain doc. be ready in case your current dr drops you, even for no apparent reason. and they do. this way you wont have to feel hopeless and you will know you have a back up dr if you need him. just my opinion.
mine dropped me after 3 years because medicare dropped him, and now i am having problems getting a new dr since i did not have a backup.something to consider, call or shop, dont settle, find a dr that will meet your needs and answer your concerns. make sure while shopping that you tell them you only want a consultation
Votes: +1
IN
Inactive
29 Oct 2010
Don't worry about that. They said that to scare you. I have a similar contract. As long as you are honest with them, and bring in the ER papers to show that you have told them what you are on, you will be fine. BUT, if you go to the ER during the day while your doctor can be reached, (unless of course you are unconscious), or go too many times to the ER, you will be dismissed. I have had four different pain doctors, and this has never bothered them, even though it is on the contract. This contract is to protect THEM from the DEA, and have them shut down.
Votes: +0
PR
prescottsmith
29 Oct 2010
Originally, docs had to occasionally have you do a UA to make sure you were not abusing meds. Now the greater risk is to the pain management physician. He/she has to have documentation that you are using your meds, not selling them. Sad, but it keep those few brave docs who are willing to treat chronc pain with meds from running into trouble with the feds. Take care
Votes: +1
JA
jaypezee
26 Oct 2010
pain meds is the number one perscribed medication in the country. so they should be happy, because its all about making money, to them! right!
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
12 Dec 2010
This is so frustrating! Where did you get the idea that pain meds are the #1 meds prescribed in the country? Actually the #1 med prescribed are bezodiazapines, ie... Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, etc. #2 are anti depressants, #3 are NSAIDs. In fact, it is the drug companies and the insurance companies that are making people think that they are addicted and all the problems of the country are because of addicts. Look at the biggest and most expensive lobbyists in your state and national legislatures. Drug companies and insurance companies are some of the richest companies in the WORLD. They wanted to change Oxy because of all the thefts, the drug addicts will go after something else. They don't care, as long as it gives them a 'high'. If you are old enough, you will remember Qualudes. They were sleeping pills that got taken off the market because abusers were stealing those pills. After Oxy, there will be something else, but the drug companies got smart.
They realized that they were making money even with all the thefts. The insurance companies don;t want to pay for the expensive drugs, that 's why they want more control. See the conundrum? That's why the DEA is getting down on doctors. Not because of you becoming an addict, but because of LOBBYISTS!!!
CA
Cathleen186
15 Jan 2011
What are they planning on changing Oxy to? Just wondering
JA
jaypezee
26 Oct 2010
all this agreement stuff is for the docs to protect themselves, because the fda is getting strict on these pain meds, cause they see so many on the streets and people getting busted for them,thats not prescribed to them. thats messing it up for people like us, that needs them. now some of these docs are not taking insurance to get pain meds.
Votes: +0
JA
jaypezee
26 Oct 2010
that sucks. if u need them for pain then u need them. i understand sometimes where the doc is coming from, but at the same time if u take care of your business, and not being a junky, then i dont see a problem with it.
Votes: +0
CR
crl7737
30 Sep 2010
Hi chronicpain... I too have fm... I have been dealing with this for 20 yrs. If you go to a PMS they can either have you sign a new agreement and they will send it to your PCP and let them know they will prescribe all pain meds... I have had about 8 surgeries for my chrons and none of my Drs. had a problem.. I just give they all a list of my meds and if I had to use IV medication I would not get any of my others... Good Luck...
Cathy (crl7737)
Votes: +1
AL
ALECIA12
18 Sep 2010
I have fibro I am in pain management . I thank God for him..If i need to go to hospital than primary care dr. will give me what is needed at time..I just let them know what meds i am taking.
