(1) When a patient receiving chronic opioid pain medications changes to a new podiatric physician, it is normally appropriate for the podiatric physician to initially maintain the patient's current opioid doses. Over time, the podiatric physician may evaluate if any tapering or other adjustments in the treatment plan can or should be done.

(2) A podiatric physician's treatment of a new high-dose chronic pain patient is exempt from the mandatory consultation requirements of WAC 246-922-735 and the tapering requirements of WAC 246-922-755 for the first three months of newly established care if:

(a) The patient was previously being treated with a dosage of opioids at or above one hundred twenty milligrams MED per day for chronic pain under an established written agreement for treatment of the same chronic condition or conditions;

(b) The patient's dose is stable and nonescalating;

(c) The patient has a demonstrated history in their record of compliance with treatment plans and written agreements as documented by medical records and PMP queries; and

(d) The patient has documented functional stability, pain control, or improvements in function or pain control, at the presenting dose.