GDA Action September 2019

8 • September 2019 FROM THE GC’S DESK SCOTT LOFRANCO GDA General Counsel & VP of Government Affairs Q & A If you have any questions about the information in this column, please email me at [email protected] or call the GDA office at 404.636.7553 x103. Each month we publish responses to some of the more frequently asked questions by GDA members. We hope you and your staff find this column to be a useful resource. Q: Do the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) requirements apply when I prescribe a patient Tylenol-3? No, a prescriber’s requirement to check the PDMP, subject to certain exceptions, applies when the prescriber writes a script for Schedule II controlled substances or benzodiazepines. See O.C.G.A. § 16-13- 63(a)(2). According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency website, “products containing not more than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with Codeine®)” are considered Schedule III controlled substances. See www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/. Q: Does my malpractice insurance policy cover me in the event of a Medicaid audit? It depends on your malpractice carrier and the specific terms of your coverage. After receiving a recent inquiry from a GDA member on this issue, Medical Protective (MedPro), the GDA’s exclusive dental liability coverage provider, advised that its policies provide Medicaid audit defense coverage up to $25,000. However, MedPro’s coverage does not extend to the payment of fines associated with a Medicaid audit, should any be imposed on the covered practice. If you are not a MedPro policy holder and accept Medicaid, you should contact your liability carrier and confirm the terms of your coverage in the event you receive notice of a Medicaid audit. If you are a current MedPro policy holder or would like a quote for your practice, Georgia Dental Services (GDIS), the GDA’s very own full service, in-house insurance agency, will gladly assist with your inquiry. In addition to professional liability coverage, GDIS also offers health insurance, business and personal lines of insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and Medicare supplements. To obtain an online quote and learn more about GDIS’ insurance products, please visit: www.gdaplus.com/about/get-a-quote. If you would prefer to speak with one of our in-house sales representatives, please call 770.395.0224, M–F, 8:30am–5pm EST.