Effective June 1, 2016, patients who are not taking opioids chronically (“new starts”) will be limited to 30 tablets of short-acting opioids in a 90 day timeframe, for an episode of acute pain, without prior authorization. If more than 30 tablets are prescribed or if refills are requested, the pharmacy will need to fill out a Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) which justifies the prolonged use of opioids for acute pain. Note that this limit will not apply to patients already taking chronic stable doses of short acting opioids.
Here are some of the concerns and questions raised and an explanation or response to each.
