Section 1400.240  Written Collaborative Agreements

A written collaborative agreement is required for all prescribing psychologists practicing under a prescribing psychologist license issued pursuant to the Act. (Section 4.3(a) of the Act)

a)         A written delegation of prescriptive authority by a collaborating physician may only include medications for the treatment of mental health disease or illness the collaborating physician generally provides to his/her patients in the normal course of his/her clinical practice.  (Section 4.3(b) of the Act)  The delegation of prescriptive authority should include authorization to order laboratory testing, imagery and medical tests necessary prior to prescribing medication during the period of prescribed medication and at the end of a period of prescribed medication.  The collaborating physician must hold a valid current Illinois controlled substance license and federal registration to delegate authority to prescribe delegated controlled substances.

b)         The collaborating physician shall file with the Department a notice of delegation of authority to prescribe any non-narcotic Schedule III through V controlled substances, the licensed prescribing psychologist shall be eligible to register for a mid-level practitioner controlled substance license under Section 303.5 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act [720 ILCS 570].  (Section 4.3(c) of the Act)

c)         Any delegation of Schedule III through V controlled substances shall identify the specific controlled substance by brand name or generic name. (Section 4.3(d)(1) of the Act)

d)         A written collaborative agreement shall:

1)         Describe the working relationship between the prescribing psychologist and the collaborating physician and delegate prescriptive authority as provided in the Act. (Section 4.3(e) of the Act)

2)         Promote the exercise of professional judgment by the prescribing psychologist in accordance with his/her training, education and experience. (Section 4.3(f) of the Act)

3)         Provide methods and guidelines for communication between the collaborating physician and the prescribing psychologist, including in-person and telephonic communications.  It is not necessary to provide for the personal presence of the collaborating physician at the place where services are rendered by the prescribing psychologist. (Section 4.3(g) of the Act)

4)         Provide for adequate collaboration between the physician and prescribing psychologist, including provisions that the physician shall:

A)        participate in the joint formulation and joint approval of orders or guidelines with the prescribing psychologist and periodically review the prescribing psychologist's orders or guidelines and the services provided patients under the orders in accordance with accepted standards of medical practice and prescribing psychologist  practice;

B)        collaborate and consult with the prescribing psychologist in person, either in the prescribing psychologist's physical presence or via real-time video conferencing, at least once a month for review of safety and quality clinical care or treatment;

C)        be available through telecommunications for consultation on medical problems, complications, emergencies, or patient referrals, as needed; and

D)        review medication orders of the prescribing psychologist no less than monthly, including review of laboratory tests and other tests as available. (Section 4.3(h) of the Act)

5)         Contain provisions detailing notice for termination or change of status involving a written collaborative agreement, except when the notice is given for just cause. (Section 4.3(i) of the Act)

e)         If there is no employment relationship between the collaborating physician and prescribing psychologist, a written collaborative agreement should not restrict third-party payment sources accepted by the prescribing psychologist. (Section 4.3(e) of the Act)

f)         A copy of a fully executed collaborative agreement shall be available to the Department within a reasonable time upon request to either the prescribing psychologist or the collaborating physician. (Section 4.3(j) of the Act)

g)         A prescribing psychologist shall inform each collaborating physician of all collaborative agreements he/she has signed and provide copies of all collaborating agreements to each collaborating physician.  (Section 4.3(l) of the Act)

h)         No collaborating physician shall enter into more than 3 collaborative agreements with prescribing psychologists at the same time. (Section 4.3(m) of the Act)