August 6, 2014
A recently passed bill, HB14-1283, requires all dentists with a DEA registration to register with Colorado’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) by Oct. 31. The PDMP is a secure, online database created in 2005 that provides objective information about patients’ controlled substance prescription records to assist Colorado healthcare providers in offering appropriate treatment to their patients. If you have not already signed up to use the PDMP, you may register for an account at: http://www.hidinc.com/copdmp. If you are already registered or are a current user of the PDMP database, no future action is needed at this time to meet the state requirement.
The hope with this new registration requirement is that dentists who prescribe controlled substances will routinely use the program as a reference once they’ve registered. The PDMP database can be a helpful tool, as it provides dentists with vital information to make informed decisions about prescribing a controlled substance. While dentists are required to register with the PDMP program, there is no requirement that prescribers utilize the program on an ongoing basis. Registration is the only requirement, aside from the notification requirement that’s been in place since 2011 for any patient prescribed a controlled substance – see https://cdaonline.org/dentalprof/practice-resources/pdmp).
Lastly, dentists can now assign PDMP logins to up to three employee staff members. The dentist is responsible for ensuring that any employee granted access to use the PDMP program uses the program for approved purposes only and maintains the confidentiality of the information obtained from the PDMP program, as the information is considered part of the patient’s medical record.
To complete your PDMP registration, please visit http://www.hidinc.com/copdmp. A tutorial video on the registration process can be viewed by clicking here. For questions about the PDMP registration process, you may contact the PDMP helpdesk at 1-855-263-6403.