Authority: IC 25-22.5-2-7; IC 25-22.5-13-3

Affected: IC 25-1-9; IC 25-27.5

Sec. 4. (a) A physician assistant shall do the physician assistant's own evaluation and risk stratification of a patient by doing the following in the initial evaluation of the patient:

1. (1) Performing an appropriately focused history and physical exam and obtain or order appropriate tests, as indicated.
2. (2) Making a diligent effort to obtain and review records from previous health care providers to supplement the physician assistant's understanding of the patient's chronic pain problem, including past treatments, and documenting this effort.
3. (3) Asking the patient to complete an objective pain assessment tool to document and better understand the patient's specific pain concerns.
4. (4) Assessing both the patient's mental health status and risk for substance abuse using available validated screening tools.
5. (5) After completing the initial evaluation, establishing a working diagnosis and tailoring a treatment plan to meaningful and functional goals, with the patient reviewing them from time to time.

(b) Where medically appropriate, the physician assistant shall use nonopioid options instead of, or in addition to, prescribing opioids.

(Medical Licensing Board of Indiana; 844 IAC 2.2-3-4; filed Sep 2, 2016, 1:04 p.m.: 20160928-IR-844150420FRA; readopted filed Nov 22, 2016, 12:11 p.m.: 20161221-IR-844160317RFA; readopted filed Nov 22, 2022, 12:22 p.m.: 20221221-IR-844220255RFA; readopted filed Feb 27, 2024, 10:19 a.m.: 20240327-IR-844230772RFA; filed Jun 20, 2025, 3:41 p.m.: 20250716-IR-844240435FRA)