Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Controlled Substance Policy

Commitment to Safe, Evidence-Based Care Aegis Medical specializes in online Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, utilizing buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®) in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies. Because buprenorphine is a Schedule III controlled substance, its prescribing is highly regulated by federal and state agencies.

Aegis Medical is committed to providing compassionate, stigma-free care while strictly adhering to all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and state medical board regulations to ensure patient safety and prevent medication diversion.

Telehealth & Prescribing Protocols To remain compliant and keep our patients safe, all individuals receiving MAT through Aegis Medical must agree to the following clinical protocols:

• State Prescription Monitoring Programs (PDMP): By law, our medical providers must actively query your state’s prescription drug monitoring database prior to your initial prescription and before every refill. This ensures there are no unsafe medication interactions.
• Routine Drug Screening: As a standard component of a compliant MAT program, patients may be required to participate in routine, random, or for-cause drug testing. This may be conducted via mailed oral swab kits, UDS or orders sent to a local laboratory facility.
• Geographic Location Requirements: Telehealth laws require that patients be physically located in a state where their provider is actively licensed at the exact time of their virtual appointment.
• Counseling & Behavioral Health: MAT is most effective when combined with behavioral therapy. Your provider will discuss ongoing counseling requirements as part of your comprehensive treatment plan.

Lost, Stolen, or Early Refill Policy Aegis Medical maintains a strict policy regarding the management of controlled substance prescriptions:

• No Early Refills: Prescriptions will only be refilled on or after the scheduled due date. We do not authorize early refills.
• Lost or Stolen Medications: Patients are responsible for the safe and secure storage of their medication. Aegis Medical generally does not replace lost, damaged, spilled, or stolen medications. In the rare event of theft, a formal police report may be required before a provider will even consider a replacement, which is entirely at the provider’s clinical discretion.
• Pharmacy Changes: If you need to change your designated local pharmacy, you must notify our care team at least 48 hours prior to your next appointment or refill date.

Termination of Treatment Aegis Medical reserves the right to discharge a patient or transition them to a higher level of in-person care (such as a local detox center or inpatient rehab) if telehealth MAT is no longer deemed clinically appropriate or safe, or if the patient violates this controlled substance policy.