Governor Greg Abbott today approved the Texas Medical Board’s request to extend the previously issued waiver which temporarily suspends Title 22, Chapter 174.5 (e) (2)(A) of the Texas Administrative Code, as the measure is still necessary to protect public health by providing patients access to ensure on-going treatment of chronic pain and curbing the spread of COVID-19. The suspension is in effect until June 6, 2020.

The extended waiver continues to allow for telephone refill(s) of a valid prescription for treatment of chronic pain by a physician with an established chronic pain patient. The physician(s) remains responsible for meeting the standard of care and all other laws and rules related to the practice of medicine. The standard of care must still be maintained related to the treatment of chronic pain patients.

For further guidance, please review the TMB’s telemedicine FAQs on its COVID-19 website , as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s COVID-19 website for federal requirements.

TMB will continue to provide any updates on COVID-19 issues on the TMB website at www.tmb.state.tx.us/page/coronavirus .

For the latest COVID-19 information for health providers and the public, visit the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) COVID-19 web page at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/ .