S.B. 2244 Summary

• Requires health care providers authorized to prescribe opioids in workers' compensation to adopt written policies requiring informed consent agreements with injured employees beginning July 1, 2019.

• Applies informed consent requirements to "qualifying injured employees": those requiring opioid treatment for more than three months, prescribed benzodiazepines and opioids together, or prescribed doses exceeding ninety morphine equivalent doses.

• Limits initial concurrent prescriptions of opioids and benzodiazepines to seven consecutive days unless longer supply is documented as reasonably needed for post-operative care, chronic pain, substance abuse treatment, cancer, palliative care, or hospice care.

• Requires health care providers to consult with injured employees in person at least once every ninety days when concurrently prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines, with telephone consultations permitted between in-person visits.

• Amends section 386-21.7 to require that initial concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions comply with the new prescription limits.