MAPS Information for Prescribers and Dispensing Practitioners

MAPS assists health professionals in the prevention of drug abuse, addiction and diversion of controlled substances. We encourage prescribers to Register to MAPS Online to request a controlled substance prescription history on their patients, which is available 24/7. Using MAPS Online before and during treatment of your patients can alert you to any past questionable behavior.

Reports for Excessive Prescriptions 

Reports are generated on a monthly basis by MAPS to identify patients who cross certain thresholds. MAPS reports are requested on these individuals and letters are mailed to the prescribers identified on the reports. If you receive one of these letters, we suggest that you review your records to confirm that this person is a patient of yours and to request a MAPS report for this patient. If you find that any of the prescription records are inaccurate, please contact the pharmacy immediately. If you have provided the identified patient with prescriptions for controlled substances, it is suggested that you contact the other prescribers listed on the report to determine the legitimacy of the prescriptions and to address concerns of possible abuse.

Reporting Requirements 

All controlled substances dispensed by a practitioner, including veterinarians, are required to be reported electronically through MAPS Online on the 1st and 15th of every month. MAPS Reporting Requirements of Prescription Data are expected to change from twice monthly to daily reporting in mid to late 2013 in an effort to provide more accurate and up-to-date prescription information to health professionals. Registration to MAPS Online is required to submit prescription data and to request controlled substance history reports.

Delegation of Prescribing Controlled Substances 

Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Midwife - A physician who supervises a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife may delegate the prescription of non-controlled prescriptions and controlled substance prescriptions listed in Schedules 3 to 5 to the nurse practitioner or nurse midwife if the delegating physician establishes a written authorization that contains required information. A delegating physician may delegate the prescription of Schedule 2 controlled substances if the physician and the nurse practitioner or nurse midwife is practicing within a health facility, specifically a freestanding surgical outpatient facility, hospital and hospice with the patient being located within the facility. The delegating physician may not delegate the prescription of a Schedule 2 controlled substance issued for the discharge of a patient for a quantity for more than a 7-day period. 

Physician's Assistant - Public Act 210 of 2011 expands the scope of practice of a physician's assistant (PA) pertaining to delegation of prescribing controlled substances.  A physician who supervises a PA may delegate the prescription of controlled substance prescriptions listed in Schedules 2-5 to the PA if the delegating physician establishes a written authorization that contains required information. Under delegation by the supervising physician, a PA may order, receive and dispense complimentary starter dose drugs including Schedule 2-5 controlled substances. The dispensing prescriber and pharmacist must include the name of the PA on prescription labels and receipts.

For additional guidelines pertaining to delegation for a PA, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, refer to Board of Medicine Rules 338.2304 and 338.2305, along with Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery Rules 338.108a and 338.108b, which are located on the Health Professions Division's website at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense.

DEA Requirements 

Physician's assistants, nurse practitioners and nurse midwives who prescribe controlled substances via delegation from a supervising physician must obtain a DEA mid-level controlled substance registration. Contact the DEA at 313-234-4000 for more information.