What happens when you break a pain contract?

Asked by: Ashlynn Stracke III  |  Last update: June 17, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (32 votes)

If you violate the rules within a pain contract, you may be blacklisted by your doctor, and will most likely no longer receive any medication from them. In turn, you'll also have a much harder time finding a doctor willing to take you on as a patient.

What happens if you break your pain contract?

Medical News Today reached out to Rainier Guiang, MD, co-founder of University Pain Consultants, a pain management practice in Southern California, for his perspective. “In our contract, we make it very clear that any breach may result in the immediate termination of the doctor-patient relationship,” said Guiang.

What happens when you get dismissed from pain management?

The consequences of such discharge are far-reaching. Patients may face refusal for further prescription of medications, challenges in finding new care, and disruptions in continuous pain management.

What are the consequences of unrelieved pain?

8 Serious Health Complications of Untreated Chronic Pain
  • Cardiovascular issues. ...
  • Musculoskeletal limitations. ...
  • Hormonal imbalances. ...
  • Cognitive concerns. ...
  • Decreased quality of life. ...
  • Mental health problems. ...
  • Substance abuse. ...
  • Worsening of existing health problems.

What is the purpose of a pain contract?

The purpose of this Agreement is to prevent misunderstandings about certain medications you will be taking for pain management. This Agreement is to help you and your provider to comply with the law regarding controlled pharmaceuticals.

Learning About Pain Contracts

19 related questions found

What not to say to your pain management doctor?

Navigating Pain Management Conversations: Phrases to Avoid
  • “I Just Need a Stronger Prescription” ...
  • “My Pain is a 10 Out of 10 All the Time” ...
  • “I Don't Believe in Non-Drug Therapies” ...
  • “It's Just Minor Discomfort” ...
  • “That's Not Going to Work for Me” ...
  • “I Saw This Treatment Online…” ...
  • Describing the Type of Pain.

What happens if you don't show up for a pill count?

Failure to appear for a random pill count or have accurate counts will result in immediate discharge from the practice.

Which consequences can result from unrelieved pain?

Common sequelae of untreated chronic pain include decreased mobility, impaired immunity, decreased concentration, anorexia, and sleep disturbances [9],[10].

What happens when pain is not relieved?

Finding treatment is important — as is balancing pain relief with your safety. Chronic pain is a serious health condition that can lead to complications beyond physical symptoms. People with chronic pain may experience depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping. Chronic pain is pain that is long lasting.

Can unrelieved pain lead to complications of immobility?

Chronic pain can lead to medical problems that can result in immobility, malnutrition and an increased risk of falling. Fortunately, research also shows us that when effectively treated, brain effects related to chronic pain may be reversible.

Can a doctor kick you out of their practice?

As physicians do not employ patients, they cannot “fire” them. But physicians can discharge patients from their medical practice for any legitimate and non-discriminatory reason, and thus terminate the doctor-patient relationship.

Can you sue pain management?

If your doctor fails to properly assess or manage your pain, you can sue, if it leads to prolonged suffering or worsening health conditions in particular. This can fall under medical malpractice if the doctor's negligence in addressing your pain fails to meet the proper standard of care and results in harm.

What to do if pain management doesn't work?

If your pain medication isn't working, call your health care provider. Remember: Don't change the dosage without talking to your health care provider. Don't abruptly stop taking your medication.

What happens if you break your contract?

There are three different courses of action available to the court. Firstly, damages may be awarded to put the claimant in the position they should have been in, had the contract terms been carried out correctly. Secondly, where the breach is repudiatory, the contract can be terminated. Damages may also be payable.

What shows up on a pain management drug test?

This panel is designed to detect pain drugs including buprenorphine, fentanyl, meperidine, oxycodone, and tramadol. False negative results may occur if drugs are present below the tests limit of detection.

Can I ask for more pain meds?

Can you ask your healthcare provider for stronger painkillers if you need them? Absolutely, as it is crucial that you are an active participant in your pain management. Acute pain is pain that comes on suddenly and is of limited duration. Chronic pain, most simply defined, is pain that continues for weeks or months.

What is the strongest pain relief?

Morphine is a stronger opioid drug. Other examples of strong opioids include diamorphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone and buprenorphine. Opioid medicines come in many forms including tablets, capsules, liquids, skin patches and injections.

What is the most painful chronic pain?

Complex regional pain syndrome is rare, affecting only one in 300,000 people. Yet it is the most painful chronic disease known to humankind, according to the McGill pain index. And some patients live with this disease for years and even decades before ever receiving a diagnosis.

What if oxycodone doesn't work?

Tell your doctor if you feel that your pain is not controlled or if your pain increases, becomes worse, or if you have new pain or an increased sensitivity to pain during your treatment with oxycodone. Do not take more of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

What happens if pain is unrelieved?

The body's normal operations are disrupted, and as a result, other physical complications arise. When you're in pain for a prolonged period, your immune system is restrained by over-activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA).

Which patient is most at risk for unrelieved pain?

Patients with co-morbid physical and mental chronic diseases are more liable to suffer chronic pain than those without.

Is life worth living with chronic pain?

The impact on a person's life can be significant and extensive, impacting just about every area of life, including (but not limited to): work, school, relationships, hobbies, exercise, and recreation. Chronic pain can become so debilitating, that it may no longer be possible to work or continue with school.

Why does pain management do a pill count?

Pill counts are a commonly used method of measuring adherence9. They avoid one of the limitations of electronic medication monitoring because they do not interfere with the use of pillbox organizers, which are an important aid to adherence for many patients19.

What happens if you completely miss a pill?

The two biggest side effects for missing birth control pills are breakthrough bleeding (also known as spotting) and pregnancy. The hormones in birth control pills wear off in about 36 hours if you don't continue taking them. After about a day and a half, your hormone levels will drop off, which can cause spotting.

How many pills do you have to miss to not be protected?

If you forget to take a pill or start a pack late

contraceptive coverage. However, missing two or more pills or starting the pack two or more days late (more than 48 hours late) may affect your contraceptive coverage.