Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

So unfair -Just wanted to Share This!!!!!!

Posted: 5:34 pm EDT October 1, 2010
Updated: 6:22 pm EDT October 1, 2010

CENTRAL FLORIDA -- A new state law is cracking down on pill mills. It's a new effort that some say could save lives; in the past year, 2,500 people died in Florida from prescription pill abuse.

The law will impact all pain specialists and their patients. Anyone who walks into a pain management clinic will notice some changes starting Friday, even if your clinic is legitimate. But the law is really aimed at getting rid of the ones that aren't.

Just getting out of the car can be excruciating for J.J. Uhlenhake.

"I have nine herniated discs in total," he said.

Uhlenhake says a work injury, followed by a car crash, left him dependent on oxycodone.

"Without pain management, I wouldn't be a construction worker still. I would be in a wheelchair," he said.

Now he and millions of patients will be impacted by a new law aimed at cracking down on pill mills, like some that were busted in Orange City and Sanford just this week (read report).

Starting Friday, only certified physicians can own a pain clinic and, by 2012, and those doctors must have specialized training in pain management. Offices that dispense on-site can provide no more than three days worth of pills if the patient is paying with cash or a credit card instead of insurance.

Local cities and counties have recently passed ordinances to make it tougher for pill mills to operate, but a ban on 'cash only' clinics in Orange County, for example, could be ineffective if abusers can just drive to a clinic in another county or city nearby.

"We tend to get concerned when we see patients travel long distances to visit us," pain specialist Dr. Daniel Frohwein said.

Frohwein said a law on the state level is the best solution.

"I think it's good to see continuity there, where the legislation is unified. It will cause less confusion," he said.

There are people out there who think the new law is too extreme and it should not group the good clinics with the bad. In fact, some doctors and patients in south and Central Florida have filed a lawsuit against the state to reverse the new rules.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I too agree on the law wanting and needing to get a handle on the "pill mills" & doctor shopping. What I do not agree with is this part of the article:... Starting Friday, only certified physicians can own a pain clinic and, by 2012, those doctors must have specialized training in pain management. Offices that dispense on-site can provide no more than three days worth of pills if the patient is paying with cash or a credit card instead of insurance".  Why bother with THREE DAYS worth of meds JUST because your a cash paying patient?? I am and have been due to being unemployed so that is useless and hopefully the lawsuit filed in south FLA will over ride that????
I have been researching Health care Providers due to the fact I lost my job in May therefore I lost my insurance. I have been looking  EVERYDAY for employment...I am up at 5:30 a.m. coffee brewed and sending out resumes to  Career Builder-Craigslist (waste of time that site) and EVERY job I am qualified for only wants an employee 20-25 per week partime no insurance offered, or one that does need a full time employee with medical benefits but they want you to basically have a 4 year degree and pay you 8 or 9 dollars and hour drive 30 miles to get to work one way...Oh  I could go on but you get my meaning. My husband refuses to put me on his at the company he is with-keeps INSISTING he has received  quotes from BCBS-United Healthcare which would only cost $220.00 a month for me as apposed to what they would deduct from his pay every month. So with the economy in the state it is/ the unemployment rate I pay out of pocket for my doctors visit which is only $15.00 dollars more than what my co-pay was when I DID have coverage it's my prescriptions that are outrageous each month. $80.00 for my pain meds, ( which I was informed will increase to $125.00 This month due to Supply & Demand) $13.00 for my Xanax, $35.00 for my Gabapentin, $20.00 for my Flonase and my Imetrex...FORGET about it...can not afford it and I am a migraine sufferer so I'm on double duty watching out for my "triggers" but I cant help the weather...EEEK!
So, for my sake my husband will see the severity of the law and get or put me on some sort of plan....But what about ALL the people that are just scraping by to pay bills, save enough money to buy meds?? That's my ***** about the law..I say Go After the clinics and shut them down-STOP the greedy doctors that right scripts with out any documentation.. (my god I know of 4 within a 45 miles radius)...but leave the ones alone the ones that are "following the rules" doing what they are supposed to do NOT doctor shopping, making an honest living.
And I also agree with you about these articles always attacking the people that have 5 doctors or Overdose THEN they accuse the doctors or the drug. I have been on my Xanax 1mg 3 times a day for 9 years and I have never abused them and I can say that with all honesty in this email. But let a movie star die from an overdose and GOD FORBID Xanax is in there room or blood and LOOK out- time to stop prescribing the medication.... which has personally SAVED MY LIFE from my severe anxiety.  
I too, like you am sick of the HOOP jumping for my meds and currently have been slowly weaning myself off to the point come my next visit will be asking for something else.
Good luck to you...I know this is long but I'm really passionate about this
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is actually one of the more fair articles I've read on the new laws.  Most of them start out with the story of an addict and how they were going to 5 or more clinics and taking hundreds of pills before they either ODed or got busted.  Then it talks about how the law will stop people like that.  
I have to roll my eyes and sigh at these things because it's not going to stop the die-hard pill seekers and it's only going to hinder people like the contruction worker with 9 herniated discs.  
I have to drive 2 hours to go to my doctor but only because he's the only one who will see me during pregnancy.  There is a huge stigma associated with me because of it.  But this law will mostly hurt people without insurance who usually pay cash for their meds.
Personally, I'm tired of the hassle of oxycodone and all the hoops you have to jump through just to get the freakin' medication in Florida.  I'm going today to hopefully talk to my doctor about switching me to something else.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community

Top Pain Answerers
Avatar universal
st. louis, MO
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches