Controlled Substance & Prescribing Policy

At Bonsai Health, patient safety and regulatory compliance are the foundation of our practice. Because we specialize in conditions that often require controlled substances (such as stimulants for ADHD and testosterone for TRT), we adhere to strict state and federal guidelines to ensure these medications are used safely and effectively.

1. No Guarantee of Prescription

Membership at Bonsai Health covers professional medical time, clinical analysis, and health management. Payment of membership fees does not guarantee a prescription. All medication decisions are made solely based on the medical judgment of Dr. Foroutan. If clinical evaluation determines that a controlled substance is not safe or indicated for you, it will not be prescribed.

Refund Policy: If, after your initial Comprehensive Health Assessment, Dr. Foroutan determines that you are not medically appropriate for the specific treatments you are seeking (such as ADHD stimulant management or TRT), you will be refunded the $250 assessment fee. However, if you are found to be medically appropriate but choose not to proceed with membership, the assessment fee is non-refundable.

2. Identity Verification & PMP Checks

To prevent identity fraud and ensure safety:

• We require a valid government-issued photo ID upon intake.
• We actively monitor the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in all licensed states. We will check your prescription history prior to your first visit and periodically during treatment to prevent poly-pharmacy and "doctor shopping."

3. Video-On Requirement

In compliance with telehealth standards of care, all appointments involving the management of controlled substances must be conducted via synchronous audio-video connection. We need to see you to treat you. "Chat-only" or "Audio-only" visits are not sufficient for initiating or managing these protocols.

4. Refill Policy

• Timing: Controlled substances are strictly regulated. We cannot refill medications early. Refills are processed no earlier than 28 days from the previous 30-day supply.
• Processing Time: Refill requests are guaranteed to be processed within 2 business days. While we make every effort to attend to patient needs over weekends and holidays, this is not guaranteed. Please plan accordingly and submit refill requests during business hours when possible.
• Lost or Stolen Meds: We generally do not replace lost or stolen prescriptions for controlled substances. In the event of theft, a police report may be required for consideration, but replacement is never guaranteed.

5. Cardiovascular Safety

Stimulants and TRT can impact blood pressure and heart rate. To continue treatment, you must provide valid blood pressure and heart rate readings when requested. Failure to provide biometric data may result in the pausing of your prescription until safety can be verified.

6. Zero Tolerance

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for:

• Abusive or threatening behavior toward staff.
• Alteration of prescriptions.
• Selling or sharing medications.

Any such behavior will result in immediate termination of the therapeutic relationship and, if necessary, reporting to relevant authorities.

7. Urine Drug Screening & Controlled Substance Agreements

Urine Drug Screening: Bonsai Health reserves the right to require urine drug screening (UDS) at any time during treatment with controlled substances. Drug screening may be requested to ensure medication compliance, detect potential substance misuse, or verify the absence of non-prescribed controlled substances. Refusal to provide a urine sample when requested may result in discontinuation of controlled substance prescribing.

Controlled Substance Agreement: Prior to initiating treatment with controlled substances, patients are required to review and sign a Controlled Substance Treatment Agreement. This agreement outlines the expectations, risks, and responsibilities associated with controlled substance therapy. Failure to adhere to the terms of this agreement may result in termination of prescribing privileges.

8. Telehealth Prescribing of Controlled Substances

Under the Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities issued by the DEA, telehealth-only prescribing of controlled substances is currently permitted through December 31, 2026. Bonsai Health operates in full compliance with these federal guidelines.

After December 31, 2026: The legal landscape for telehealth prescribing of controlled substances remains uncertain. If federal or state regulations change and require an in-person evaluation for initial or continued prescribing, we will work with you to arrange an in-person visit or identify other compliant workarounds to maintain continuity of care. We are committed to supporting our patients through any regulatory transitions while maintaining full legal compliance.