State officials continue to make changes to various statutory and regulatory requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several of those changes stem directly from ISMA’s advocacy efforts.

Gov. Holcomb eases telemedicine controlled-substance, opioid prescribing

An executive order Thursday from Gov. Eric Holcomb eases certain statutory requirements to assist prescribers, patients and others during the pandemic. It eases certain restrictions relating to the prescription of controlled substances through telemedicine.

It also allows opioids to be prescribed through telemedicine for patients who are already established on maintenance therapy with opioids for chronic, not acute, conditions, provided:

• The prescription is issued for a legitimate purpose by a practitioner acting in the usual course of their professional practice;
• The telemedicine communication is conducted using an audio-visual, real-time, two-way interactive communication system; and
• All other applicable federal and state laws are followed.

The executive order was issued after ISMA sent a letter to Gov. Holcomb requesting these changes.

IDOI eases prior authorization, licensing, other requirements

Bulletin 252 (PDF) from the Indiana Department of Insurance says that insurers and HMOs subject to IDOI authority must waive costs and prior authorization (PA) requirements for COVID-related testing and treatment. It also waives the 30-day deadline for the payment of medical malpractice surcharge payments for up to 60 days (making payments due and payable within 90 days). This change, meant to facilitate part-time and retired physicians’ quick activation into the health care workforce, was requested by ISMA in a letter sent to Governor Holcomb last week. Finally, it places a moratorium on cancellation and nonrenewal of insurance policies during the crisis and makes other adjustments.

ISMA seeks further action through the Professional Licensing Agency on COVID-19 medications, telemedicine clarification

ISMA and the Indiana Pharmacists Association have asked the Professional Licensing Agency to act (PDF) to ensure current supplies of chloroquine (Aralen), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and azithromycin (Zithromax) are reserved for patients taking them for indicated uses and not as a prophylactic. ISMA also asked Gov. Eric Holcomb (PDF) for further clarification on the use of telephone or audio-only communications.