SECTION 195.1. Definitions

Pain management clinics at which a majority of patients are treated for chronic pain are subject to Chapter 168 of the Act, unless otherwise exempted. In determining if the clinic is treating a majority of patients for chronic pain, one of the primary indicators is the prescribing of opioids. The Board will utilize the following definitions in making that determination:

(1) Acute pain--the normal, predicted, physiological response to a stimulus such as trauma, disease, and operative procedures. Acute pain is time limited to no later than 30 days from the date of the initial prescription for opioids during a period of treatment related to the acute condition or injury. Acute pain does not include, chronic pain, pain being treated as part of cancer care; pain being treated as part of hospice or other end-of-life care; pain being treated as part of palliative care; or post-surgical, post-procedure, or persistent non-chronic pain.

(2) Chronic pain--pain that is not relieved with acute, post-surgical, post-procedure, or persistent non-chronic pain treatment. This type of pain is associated with a chronic pathological process that causes continuous or intermittent pain for no less than 91 days from the date of the initial prescription for opioids. Medical practices treating this type of pain patient may be subject to Chapter 168 of the Act.

(3) Post-surgical, post-procedure, persistent non-chronic pain--pain that occurs due to trauma caused by the surgery or procedure; or an underlying condition, disease, or injury causing persistent non-chronic pain. These types of pain last 90 days or less, but more than 30 days, from the date of initial prescriptions for opioids during a period of treatment.

Source Note: The provisions of this §195.1 adopted to be effective November 9, 2022, 47 TexReg 7412