At Bion Healthcare, we understand that managing chronic pain can be complex. While fewer clinics are prescribing controlled medications such as opioids, we continue to do so when it is safe, medically appropriate, and closely monitored. Responsible prescribing is essential, not only for your safety but also to maintain effective, long-term treatment outcomes.

One of the most important parts of this process is compliance monitoring, which helps ensure that medications are being taken as prescribed. We use several tools to support this, including:

Pill counts are a standard way to confirm that medications are being taken correctly.
Here’s how it works:

• We track when your prescription was filled and how many pills you received.
• We know your prescribed daily dosage.
• We calculate how many pills should remain based on the time since your last refill.

Please bring your medication bottles to every visit. We count pills to an exact number. It’s acceptable if you return with more than expected (e.g., if you skipped doses), but you should never return with fewer pills, which suggests overuse.

Example: If we expect you to have 5 pills remaining and you bring in 12, that’s fine. But if you only bring 4, that’s considered a discrepancy.

Discrepancies are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering frequency, severity, and other monitoring results. However, we do not replace missing pills, and your next prescription may be adjusted accordingly. Insurance companies also generally do not approve early refills for overtaken medication.

Drug testing is a vital part of compliance monitoring at Bion Healthcare. It helps us ensure your safety and tailor your care effectively.

• We do not share drug test results with anyone (including family members, courts, or government agencies) without your explicit written consent.
• Before your test, we ask that you report any substances, medications, or supplements you’ve used in the past 3 days.

We use two types of drug testing:

• Screening tests provide immediate, though less precise, results.
• Confirmatory tests are highly accurate and processed by certified labs (results may take a few days).

Please arrive ready to provide a urine sample. Collection is handled by a trained Bion Healthcare staff member.

We review your prescription history through the state’s prescription drug monitoring database before each visit. This allows us to:

• Confirm all controlled medications you’ve received
• Ensure there’s no overlapping or duplicate prescriptions
• Make informed, safe decisions about your treatment plan

This monitoring helps us keep your appointments efficient, reduce unnecessary drug tests, and give you more flexibility when compliance is well-documented.

At Bion Healthcare, we understand that taking medication consistently and correctly is not always easy. That’s why we offer supportive tools like:

• The Two-Bottle Method to help organize your doses
• Virtual Pill Counts for added convenience and flexibility

Whether you’re doing well with your medication or struggling to stay on track, we are here to help, not to judge. If there’s evidence of misuse, we work with you to adjust your plan in a way that prioritizes safety and healing.

• If you’re following your treatment plan, we help you prove it.
• If you’re struggling, we help you improve.
• If you’re misusing medications, we help you regain control, safely and respectfully.

At Bion Healthcare, your care is our commitment.