Prescribing policy
What we prescribe, and when
Written once, so nobody has to ask. Rules for controlled medication come from federal and Arizona law and can change; we tell you what applies before your evaluation.
| Medication | At the evaluation | At follow-up visits | By video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-stimulant ADHD medication | At the evaluationMay be started if the evaluation supports it. | At follow-up visitsAdjusted and renewed at follow-up visits. | By videoYes, when you are in Arizona during the visit. |
| Stimulants (controlled) | At the evaluationNot prescribed at the visit that begins the evaluation. The evaluation comes first. | At follow-up visitsOne prescription at a time, sent electronically to one pharmacy. No refills: each one needs a visit. | By videoDepends on the federal and Arizona rules in force that day. We tell you before the evaluation. |
| Sedatives and sleep medicines (controlled) | At the evaluationNot started by this practice. | At follow-up visitsNot prescribed. We send you back to your own physician. | By videoNot applicable. |
| Lost, early or extra requests | At the evaluationNot applicable. | At follow-up visitsNot filled early and not sent by message. We review them at a visit. | By videoSame rule as in the office. |
In writing
The rules behind the table
The evaluation comes first
No controlled medication is prescribed at the visit that begins the evaluation. We finish the evaluation, read your records and write the plan first.
One prescriber, one pharmacy
Controlled prescriptions are sent electronically to one pharmacy you name, and only Dr. Madrigal prescribes them. Under this policy, if another prescriber also gives you a controlled medication, we need to know.
The state record
Before each controlled prescription we check Arizona's controlled substances prescription monitoring program.
No early refills, none by message
Some medicines cannot be refilled at all: each prescription needs a visit. We do not send a prescription early or in reply to a message. A lost or stolen medicine is reviewed at a visit.
Labs and checks
Some medicines call for a blood pressure and pulse check, and sometimes a blood test. Your primary care doctor can usually do them; we tell you which apply to you.
Video and in person
The federal and Arizona rules on video visits for controlled medication have changed before and can change again, so some follow-ups may have to be in person. Video visits are for people in Arizona, the state where we are licensed. Before your evaluation we tell you what applies.
Three questions about prescribing
Do you prescribe controlled medication by video?
It depends on the federal and Arizona rules in force on the day of the visit. We do not start a controlled medication at the visit that begins the evaluation, and we tell you before the evaluation whether follow-ups can be by video or must be in the office.
Will I need labs?
Sometimes. Some ADHD medicines call for a blood pressure and pulse check, and occasionally a blood test. Your own primary care doctor can usually do these, and we tell you which, if any, apply to you.
How soon can I be seen?
Write to us and we reply within one business day with the next evaluation times. If there is a wait, we say so and, if you prefer, give you the names of colleagues.
Request an evaluation
Ask anything about the policy in your message. We answer before the visit.