MS HB83

Exempts acupuncture practitioners from requiring a written physician referral or prescription when treating patients for chronic or acute pain if the patient has a current prescription for an analgesic drug.

Removes the general supervision requirement by a referring or prescribing physician for pain treatment cases where the patient holds a valid analgesic drug prescription.

Requires acupuncture practitioners to obtain and record the brand or generic name and prescription number of the patient's analgesic drug before treating such patients.

Maintains all other existing requirements for acupuncture practitioners, including informed consent, practitioner disclosure, prohibition on diagnosis, and consultation with physicians when patient conditions worsen or emergency treatment is needed.

Effective date: July 1, 2016.