Law: Regulating Pain Clinics
What are Pain Clinic Laws?
So-called “pill mills” have been discussed widely in the media, and pain clinic regulations are designed to prevent these facilities from prescribing controlled substances indiscriminately or inappropriately. A law was included in this resource as a pain clinic regulation if it requires state oversight of pain management clinics or if it describes specific registration, licensure, or ownership requirements for pain management clinics. For example, it may specify operational and personnel requirements, inspection and complaint procedures, initial or annual renewal of license investigations, procedures for denial or revocation of licenses, health and safety requirements, standards of care, or patient billing procedures. A pain management clinic is generally defined as any facility that provides management services or employs a physician who is primarily engaged in the treatment of pain by prescribing or dispensing controlled substance medications.
States with Pain Clinic Laws
3 states: Florida, Louisiana, Texas.
Note: All laws enacted as of August 31, 2010.
Features of Pain Clinic Laws by State
Features | Aspects of Feature |
States |
State oversight |
Must register with state |
|
Must be licensed (or certified) by state |
||
State must inspect |
||
State may Inspect |
||
License is not transferable or assignable |
||
Board must investigate complaints |
||
Board must promulgate rules and regulations for pain clinics and pain practitioners |
||
Ownership and operation |
Must be owned and operated by practitioner certified in pain management |
|
Must be owned and operated by a physician medical director |
||
May not have any relationship with a practitioner who has been disciplined for improper controlled substance dealings |
||
May not be owned in whole or in part by any person who has been convicted of a felony |
Get email updates
To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address:
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
4770 Buford Hwy, NE
MS F-63
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
New Hours of Operation:
8am-8pm ET/
Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov