June 29, 2010

Question about Department of Transportation (DOT) Testing?

Question about Department of Transportation (DOT) Testing?

Is the Medical Review Officer (MRO) permitted to accept an employee’s prescription for medication obtained over the Internet?

Department of Transportation (DOT) Published Answer:

• An MRO is authorized to accept an employee’s prescription for medication obtained over the Internet only is there is proof that a legitimate doctor-patient relationship has been established.
   

• The following four elements generally serve as indication that a legitimate doctor-patient relationship has been established:

1. A patient has a medical complaint;

2. A medical history has been taken;

3. A physician examination has been performed; and

4. Some logical connection exists between the complaint, the medical history, the physical examination, and the drug prescribed.

• Standing alone, the completion of an online questionnaire reviewed later by a pharmacy-employed doctor fails to establish a proper doctor-patient relationship.
   
• The MRO should, at a minimum consider the following items when verifying the test result:

-The name, physical location, and state(s) of licensure of the prescribing practitioner;

-Whether the employee was professionally evaluated for the current medical complaint by the prescribing practitioner; and the last time the employee was in direct contact with the prescribing practitioner;

-Whether the employee initiated the request to the pharmacy for a particular medication; and

-Whether a proper doctor-patient relationship existed. 

It is the employee’s responsibility to provide sufficient documentation to address the Medical Review Officer (MRO) inquires as to whether the was a legitimate doctor-patient relationship.

USA MEC EAP Chairperson
Deborah A. McCormick

Local EAP Numbers

Should you not be able to contact a peer representative, you may also call the International AFA EAP help-line at 1-800-424-2406 or 1-202-434-0560 to assist you with accessing resources.

USA MEC EAP Chairperson
Deborah A. McCormick
401-294-6107
401-225-1459 (Cell)