⚠ OFFICE RELOCATION NOTICE

MSBML will be relocating to a new office within the next few weeks.

New Address: The Atrium Building, 805 S. Wheatly Street, Suite 600, Ridgeland, MS 39157

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Pain Practice Registration

Effective October 29, 2018, physicians working in a pain management practice must register individually with the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.

How to Register

  1. Log in to the Mississippi Enforcement and Licensure System (MELS).
  2. Select the green panel showing your license number and expiration date.
  3. Under License Options, choose Pain Practice Registration.
  4. Answer the registration question:
    • If you answer No, the system will confirm that registration is not required.
    • If you answer Yes, you must acknowledge that you have reviewed the Pain Practice regulations and meet the requirements.
  5. Review the confirmation page and select Exit to complete the process.

The Board does not issue a confirmation document after registration is completed.

Rule 1.14 – Pain Management Medical Practice

Definition

Pain Management Practice means a public or privately owned practice where 50% or more of patients regularly receive prescriptions for medications such as opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, carisoprodol, butalbital compounds, or tramadol for treatment of chronic non-cancer pain. This definition also includes practices that advertise pain management services. Patients receiving treatment for terminal illness are not included in this calculation.

Practice Ownership and Registration

  • A pain management practice must be majority owned (more than 50%) by physician licensees of the Board or by a hospital or healthcare entity registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State.
  • Physician owners must practice an average of at least 20 hours per week within Mississippi.
  • Each pain management practice must register with the Board.
  • All physicians providing care in the practice must meet the requirements of this rule.

Registration Requirements

A physician owner registering a pain management practice must:

  • Provide documentation demonstrating proof of ownership.
  • Disclose ownership or investment interests in other pain management facilities operating in Mississippi.
  • Identify all individuals with prescriptive authority who work at the practice.
  • Report any changes to this information within 30 days.

Certificate Requirements

  • A pain management practice may not operate without a certificate issued by the Board.
  • Certificates are issued to the practice and are not transferable.
  • Each practice location must have its own certificate.
  • The certificate must be displayed in a location visible to patients.
  • Certificates must be renewed annually. A 30-day grace period applies after expiration.
  • The practice may not operate while a certificate is expired.

Disqualifying Actions

Physicians, physician assistants, owners, or employees of a pain management practice may not:

  • Have been denied or restricted from prescribing controlled substances by any jurisdiction.
  • Have been denied or restricted from receiving a DEA registration.
  • Have been disciplined by a licensing authority for inappropriate prescribing or dispensing of controlled substances.
  • Have been terminated from Medicare or any Medicaid program, unless eligibility has been restored.

In addition, a physician or physician assistant may not own, operate, or practice in a pain management practice if they have been convicted of:

  • A felony; or
  • A misdemeanor involving illegal distribution or sale of controlled substances.

Physician Training Requirements

Physicians prescribing controlled substances in a registered pain management practice must meet one of the following qualifications:

  • Board certification with a subspecialty certification in pain medicine recognized by ABMS or ABAM.
  • Board certification in pain management recognized by the American Osteopathic Association.
  • Board certification by the American Board of Pain Medicine.
  • Completion of an ACGME- or AOA-approved residency in anesthesiology, neurology, neurosurgery, or physical medicine and rehabilitation.
  • Completion of 100 hours of interactive Category 1 CME in pain management.

Physicians must also complete 30 hours of Category 1 CME every two years related to pain management, addiction, or prescribing opioids.

Prescription Monitoring Program

Physicians and physician assistants working in pain management practices must register with the Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program (MPMP).

  • An MPMP report must be reviewed at the patient’s initial visit.
  • MPMP reports must also be reviewed at each subsequent visit.

Physician Assistant Requirements

Physician assistants practicing in a pain management practice must:

  • Practice under a Board-approved protocol with a supervising physician.
  • Complete required continuing medical education related to pain management and prescribing.
  • Follow Board rules governing prescribing, administering, and dispensing medications.
  • Be registered with the Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program.

Board Oversight

  • The Board may inspect a pain management practice to ensure compliance with applicable laws and rules.
  • If the Board determines a practice does not meet requirements, the certificate may be suspended or revoked, subject to an administrative hearing.

Contact

If you have questions, contact the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.