CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES & TELEPSYCHIATRY PRESCRIBING POLICY
Erskin Psychiatric Services PLLC is committed to safe, responsible, and evidence-based prescribing. Controlled substance prescribing varies based on the state where you are physically located at the time of your telehealth appointment.
1. Federal Realities & The Ryan Haight Act
The prescription of controlled substances (including, but not limited to, stimulant medications for ADHD such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse, or benzodiazepines for severe anxiety such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan) via telemedicine is strictly governed by the federal Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act and prevailing Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations.
2. In-Person Evaluation Requirements
In accordance with current federal mandates, any prescription for a controlled substance requires a thorough clinical justification. The practice strictly adheres to federal law regarding the necessity of an in-person medical evaluation prior to or during the course of treatment with controlled substances, subject to temporary or permanent federal public health exemptions.
We do not guarantee the prescription of controlled substances at any visit. Controlled medications are only prescribed when clinically indicated after a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
3. Mandatory State Registry Checks (PDMP)
To ensure patient safety and maintain compliance with state medical and nursing boards, your provider is legally required to check the respective state prescription registries prior to issuing any controlled substance prescription:
Washington: The Washington State Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).
These databases are reviewed to monitor for dangerous drug interactions, duplicate therapies, or clinical safety indicators.
4. Prescribing Decisions Are Individualized
An appointment with Erskin Psychiatric Services does not guarantee that any particular medication will be prescribed.
Treatment recommendations are based on your clinical needs, safety, evidence-based practice, applicable prescribing regulations, and the professional judgment of your treating clinician.
If you have questions about whether our prescribing model is appropriate for your needs, please review this policy before scheduling your initial appointment.
5. Practice Boundaries
This practice focuses on holistic, long-term psychiatric wellness. We heavily restrict the use of long-term benzodiazepines or sedative-hypnotics due to the risks of dependence, tolerance, and cognitive impacts. If you are seeking immediate or high-dose controlled substances without a comprehensive, multi-modal treatment plan, this practice may not be the appropriate clinical fit for your care.
Arizona Patients
Controlled Substances Are Not Prescribed
Erskin Psychiatric Services PLLC does not prescribe controlled substances to patients located in Arizona at this time.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Stimulant medications used for ADHD
Benzodiazepines
Other medications classified as controlled substances under federal or state law
Arizona patients may still receive comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and treatment with appropriate non-controlled psychiatric medications when clinically indicated.
If you are currently taking a controlled medication, please understand that Erskin Psychiatric Services will not initiate, refill, continue, or assume management of that controlled medication for Arizona-based care.
Patients who require ongoing controlled-substance treatment may need to continue that portion of their care with another appropriately licensed prescriber.
Washington Patients
Controlled substances may be considered for Washington patients when clinically appropriate and permitted under applicable federal and Washington State law.
A prescription for a controlled medication is never guaranteed and is based on a comprehensive clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment history, safety considerations, prescription-monitoring information, and the clinician’s professional judgment.
Additional monitoring, documentation, follow-up visits, or other requirements may apply.
Important Telehealth Notice
For purposes of telehealth prescribing, your location is based on where you are physically located at the time of your appointment, not your permanent home address.
Patients must accurately disclose their location at each visit so that care can be provided in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.