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As part of the modification of Ohio’s Rules for Office-Based Opioid Treatment, the Ohio Medical Board has expanded on prior rules previously governed by the Ohio Pharmacy Board. The new Rules, which become effective October 31, 2020, bring special attention to the national distinction between “withdrawal management/detoxification” and “ambulatory detoxification.” Per the new definitions, “Withdrawal Management,” also identified as “detoxification,” is limited to the acute toxic cleansing with the goal of minimizing physical harm from withdrawal. “Ambulatory detoxification,” as its name implies, refers to outpatient treatment of addiction on a continued basis with FDA approved medications. The Rules also require biomedical and psychosocial evaluation of each patient as a preliminary requirement to begin ambulatory detoxification.

The new Rules apply to both physicians and physician assistants. Prescribers in private medical facilities, (some limited exceptions apply) using buprenorphine for withdrawal management, should be aware of these changes and incorporate them into their practice. Proper documentation of the required patient information is critical for establishing compliance with state and Federal regulations. A full text of the new Rules is available here.

If you are a medical provider with a DATA2000 waiver and have questions regarding Ohio rules on ambulatory detoxification or withdrawal management/detoxification, you should consider contacting the attorneys at Graff & McGovern, LPA. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing licensed professionals, including representation of physicians, physician assistants, and other licensees of providing medical case. Attorney Levi Tkach can be reached at (614) 228-5800, ext. 4.