Controlled Substance Compliance Statement

Responsible Prescribing &

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

LoDo Pain, LLC provides specialty chronic pain management within a structured clinical governance framework designed to promote patient safety, responsible prescribing, and regulatory compliance.

LoDo Pain operates as a specialty clinic focused on the pharmacologic management of chronic pain conditions that have typically persisted despite prior treatment attempts.

Unlike primary care practices, which manage a broad range of medical conditions, patients referred to LoDo Pain have already undergone evaluation and treatment in other settings and are seeking specialty-level pain management. As a result, a larger proportion of patients evaluated at LoDo Pain may be receiving controlled pain medications as part of their treatment plan.

This patient population reflects the clinic’s specialized focus on chronic pain management rather than indiscriminate prescribing. All medication decisions remain subject to individualized evaluation, documented medical necessity, risk–benefit assessment, and the clinical governance safeguards described below.

Specialty pain care environments frequently treat patients with higher clinical complexity and longer treatment histories than general medical practices. Treatment decisions at LoDo Pain are guided by established medical standards, individualized clinical evaluation, and ongoing monitoring to ensure safe and appropriate care.

1. Commitment to Responsible Prescribing

LoDo Pain, LLC is a specialty chronic pain clinic committed to responsible, evidence-based pharmacologic management.

Controlled substances, when prescribed, are issued only:

For a legitimate medical purpose
Within the usual course of professional practice
Following individualized evaluation and documentation
In compliance with applicable federal and Arizona law

A prescription is never guaranteed.

2. Clinical Governance Framework

LoDo Pain operates within a structured Clinical Governance framework designed to promote patient safety, regulatory compliance, and consistent standards of care.

This framework includes structured review pathways for elevated-risk regimens, medical director oversight for higher-risk prescribing decisions, periodic compliance assessment, and proportionate safeguards based on total opioid exposure and clinical risk factors.

This framework includes:

Defined prescribing standards
Risk-stratified monitoring protocols
High-risk regimen review processes
Medical director oversight
Periodic compliance review

Licensed providers retain responsibility for individualized clinical decision-making within these established safety standards.

LoDo Pain utilizes a governance-based approach to chronic pain pharmacotherapy designed to promote consistent standards of care, reduce prescribing variability, and support regulatory compliance.

3. Evaluation Standards

Before initiating or continuing controlled substance therapy, providers may require:

Comprehensive clinical evaluation
Review of prior medical records
Verification of diagnosis
Functional assessment
Risk screening and assessment

Treatment eligibility is determined based on medical necessity, safety considerations, and documented risk–benefit analysis.

4. Monitoring & Risk Mitigation

To support safe care, monitoring may include:

Review of the Arizona Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP)
Baseline, periodic, or random urine drug screening
Pill counts when clinically indicated
Controlled Substance Treatment Agreements
Functional reassessment
Naloxone education or prescribing when appropriate

Monitoring intensity is risk-stratified based on clinical factors and medication exposure.

Clinical findings that indicate increased risk—including unexpected monitoring results, concerning prescription monitoring data, pharmacy dispensing concerns, or evidence of unsafe medication use—may prompt additional evaluation, modification of therapy, or referral to a higher level of care when clinically appropriate.

Failure to comply with monitoring requirements may result in modification or discontinuation of therapy.

Continuation of opioid therapy requires documented clinical benefit and ongoing risk–benefit reassessment. When risks are determined to outweigh benefits, providers may recommend modification, tapering, or discontinuation of therapy consistent with clinic policies and patient safety considerations.

5. High-Risk & Elevated-Dose Therapy

Higher total daily opioid dosages and certain medication combinations are associated with increased risk.

When elevated-risk regimens are present, enhanced documentation, review, and monitoring safeguards are implemented consistent with clinic policy.

Designation as elevated risk does not automatically mandate tapering, but reflects the need for proportionate oversight.

6. Appointment & Telemedicine Standards

Controlled substance therapy generally requires regular clinical follow-up.

Care is primarily delivered through in-office visits.

Telemedicine may be utilized when:

Clinically appropriate
Permitted under applicable federal and Arizona law
Consistent with prescribing regulations in effect at the time

Controlled substance prescriptions are issued only when they meet the definition of a valid prescription under federal and state law.

Missed appointments or failure to attend required follow-up may result in interruption or modification of therapy.

7. Early Refills & Lost Medications

Early refills are rare and require documented clinical review.

Lost, stolen, or damaged medications are generally not replaced.

Requests for early refills or dose adjustments are evaluated based on documented clinical circumstances and may be denied.

Repeated early refill behavior may trigger enhanced monitoring or modification of therapy.

8. Modification or Discontinuation of Therapy

Medication therapy may be modified, tapered, or discontinued when:

Risks outweigh benefits
Safety concerns arise
Monitoring requirements are not met
Evidence of misuse or diversion is identified
Clinical judgment indicates therapy is no longer appropriate

When clinically appropriate, structured tapering or referral coordination may be provided to promote patient safety.

9. Pharmacy Coordination & Corresponding Responsibility

Prescribers and pharmacists share corresponding responsibility under federal and Arizona law.

LoDo Pain supports collaborative, professional communication with dispensing pharmacies.

Dispensing decisions remain within the pharmacist’s professional discretion.

Pharmacy dispensing concerns or refusal events may prompt additional clinical review or modification of therapy.

10. Patient Responsibilities

Patients receiving controlled medications are expected to:

Take medications exactly as prescribed
Use a designated pharmacy unless otherwise authorized
Disclose all medications being taken
Avoid sharing or diverting medications
Comply with monitoring requirements
Notify the clinic of adverse effects

Failure to adhere to treatment agreements may result in modification or discontinuation of therapy.

11. No Guarantee of Prescriptions

Not all patients are candidates for controlled medications.

Completion of intake forms, payment of fees, or participation in structured care plans does not guarantee:

Evaluation for controlled substances
Prescription issuance
Dose initiation or escalation
Continuation of therapy

All prescribing decisions are based on clinical evaluation, documented medical necessity, and applicable law.

12. Emergency Care

LoDo Pain does not provide emergency services.

If you experience:

Signs of overdose
Severe withdrawal symptoms
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Suicidal thoughts

Call 911 or seek immediate emergency medical care.