Sec. 1. (a) This section applies to an office based opioid treatment provider who:

(1) has obtained a waiver from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and meets the qualifying standards required to treat opioid addicted patients in an office based setting; and

(2) has a valid federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration number and identification number that specifically authorizes treatment in an office based setting.

(b) The office of the secretary and the division shall develop a treatment protocol containing best practice guidelines for the treatment of opiate dependent patients. The treatment protocol must require the minimal clinically necessary medication dose that includes, when appropriate, the goal of opioid abstinence, and the following:

(1) Require an opioid treatment provider to periodically and randomly test a patient for the following before and during the patient's treatment by the provider:

(A) Methadone.

(B) Cocaine.

(C) Opiates.

(D) Amphetamines.

(E) Barbiturates.

(F) Tetrahydrocannabinol.

(G) Benzodiazepines.

(H) Any other suspected or known drug that may have been abused by the patient.

(2) Require that if a patient tests positive under a test described in subdivision (1) for:

(A) a controlled substance other than a drug for which the patient has a prescription or that is part of the patient's treatment plan with the provider; or

(B) an illegal drug other than the drug that is part of the patient's treatment plan with the provider;

the opioid treatment provider and the patient shall review the treatment plan and consider changes with the goal of opioid abstinence.

(3) Require that an opioid treatment provider must determine that the benefit to the patient in receiving the take home opioid treatment medication outweighs the potential risk of diversion of the take home opioid treatment medication.

(4) Develop clinical standards for:

(A) the appropriate tapering of a patient on and off an opioid treatment medication;

(B) relapse; and

(C) overdose prevention.

(5) Develop standards and protocols for an opioid treatment provider to do the following:

(A) Assess new opioid treatment patients to determine the most effective opioid treatment medications to start the patient's opioid treatment.

(B) Ensure that each patient voluntarily chooses maintenance treatment and that relevant facts concerning the use of opioid treatment medications, including nonaddictive medication options, are clearly and adequately explained to the patient.

(C) Have appropriate opioid treatment patients who are receiving maintenance medications for opioid treatment move to receiving other approved opioid treatment medications.

(c) Before December 31, 2016, the office of the secretary shall recommend the best practice guidelines required under subsection (b) to:

(1) the Indiana professional licensing agency established under IC 25-1-5;

(2) the office; and

(3) a managed care organization that has contracted with the office.

As added by P.L.37-2016, SEC.3.