Prescription Policy

Effective date: September 9, 2025
Provider: Dr. Shantanu Baghel — (910) 612-6015 — sbaghel@thebh.us

Purpose

This page explains how prescriptions and medication management are handled at the practice, including telehealth prescribing limits, refill procedures, prior authorization timelines, and other safety measures. It is intended to be transparent and help you plan medication-related needs. If you have questions, contact the office at sbaghel@thebh.us or (910) 612-6015.

General prescribing policy

All prescriptions are issued only after a clinical evaluation and at the clinician’s professional discretion.
Prescribing decisions are based on medical need, best-practice guidelines, and applicable North Carolina and federal law.
We will coordinate care and prescriptions with other treating clinicians when appropriate. Please inform us of all medications prescribed by other providers.
We do not accept Medicare patients for ongoing treatment in this practice; contact the office if you have questions about coverage or alternatives.

Telehealth prescribing limits

Telehealth prescribing follows the same clinical standards as in-person care, but there are specific limitations:

Telehealth services (including prescribing) are available only when you are physically located in North Carolina at the time of the visit.
Certain controlled substances and other medications may not be prescribed via telehealth or may require an in-person evaluation, additional documentation, or monitoring before they will be prescribed. This is to comply with state and federal regulations and to ensure safe care.
Prescriptions may be denied or limited if there is concern about safety, diversion, or misuse.

Controlled substances & safety checks

When appropriate and lawful, prescribing of controlled substances will involve enhanced safeguards, which may include:

Review of the North Carolina Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) or equivalent databases before prescribing.
Careful documentation of indications, risks, and follow-up plans in the medical record.
Requirement for periodic in-person visits, urine drug screening, pill counts, or other monitoring activities as clinically indicated.
Refusal to prescribe controlled substances to patients who exhibit signs of medication misuse, diversion, or whose clinical condition cannot be safely managed remotely.

Refills & prior authorizations

Please request refills at least 7 days before your medication runs out. This gives us time to review your chart, coordinate with pharmacies, and process prior authorizations if needed.

Refill & prior-auth request guidance:

How to request a refill: Contact the office by phone at (910) 612-6015 or email sbaghel@thebh.us. Provide: patient name, date of birth, medication name, dosage, prescribing pharmacy name and phone number, and preferred pickup instructions.
Processing time: Allow at least 7 business days for routine refill and prior authorization processing. Complex cases or insurer requirements may take longer.
Refills for medications prescribed by another clinician (outside prescriptions) will generally require coordination with that clinician; we will not routinely assume long-term management of medications started elsewhere without an appropriate transfer-of-care discussion.

Medication changes, deprescribing, and monitoring

We offer medication management and deprescribing services when clinically appropriate. Medication changes may include dose adjustments, tapering/discontinuation plans, or switching to alternative therapies.

Deprescribing and medication adjustments will be individualized and include monitoring plans to minimize withdrawal or adverse effects.
Regular follow-up appointments (telehealth or in-person) may be required during medication changes.
Patients should report side effects, adverse reactions, or new medical issues promptly via the office contact methods.

Coordination with pharmacies & other providers

We communicate electronically with pharmacies when possible. To avoid delays, confirm that your pharmacy information on file is current and that the pharmacy accepts electronic prescriptions. For controlled substances, pharmacy verification and identity checks are common; some pharmacies may require in-person pickup.

Lost/stolen prescriptions & early refill requests

Lost or stolen prescriptions should be reported immediately. Replacement prescriptions for controlled substances may be refused and, if provided, will be issued only after appropriate verification and documentation.
Early refill requests will be evaluated case-by-case. Repeated early refill requests may prompt a review of treatment plan and monitoring needs.

Refusal or discontinuation of prescriptions

The clinician may refuse or discontinue a prescription if it is not clinically appropriate, if there are concerns about safety or misuse, or if the patient fails to comply with treatment or monitoring requirements. In such cases, the clinician will discuss alternatives and offer referral options when possible.

Urgent needs & emergencies

This policy is not intended for urgent medication needs. If you require immediate attention for withdrawal symptoms, severe side effects, or other urgent concerns, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For urgent medication questions during business hours call (910) 612-6015.

Privacy & recordkeeping

All prescription activity and medication management notes are documented in the medical record consistent with HIPAA and professional standards. For details on PHI handling, see the Patient Privacy Summary and the full Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF).

Questions & contact

If you have questions about prescriptions or medication management, contact the office:

Email: sbaghel@thebh.us
Phone: (910) 612-6015

This Prescription Policy describes our clinical practices and is not a substitute for direct clinical advice. Prescribing decisions are individualized and made at the clinician’s discretion in accordance with applicable law.