The purpose of this bulletin, is to recirculate and emphasize Commissioner s Bulletin issued December 28, 1992 (copy attached).
Any inappropriate use of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provider numbers may be viewed as unfair claims settlement practices or result in violations of specific provider contracting laws. Please make any changes to your practices necessary to ensure your company s compliance immediately.
If you have any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact Tyrette Hamilton, Deputy Commissioner of the Life/health Group at 512/322-3401.
Elton Bomer
Commissioner of Insurance
December 28, 1992
APPROPRIATE USE DEA REGISTRATION NUMBERS
TO: ALL HEALTH INSURERS:
The Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Department of Justice has asked this agency to disseminate the following information concerning the appropriate use of DEA Registration numbers.
The Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Department of Justice developed the use of DEA Registration numbers in order to provide a record of authorized possession and responsibility for substances which could not be sold without a prescription under the federal act governing controlled substances. The DEA has had numerous requests for DEA numbers because insurers are requiring those numbers for the purpose of reimbursement under insurance plans. The DEA does not endorse this use and does not have the available manpower to comply with all requests for these numbers.
The DEA has asked this agency to disseminate the above information and to advise insurers that DEA registrants are not required by the DEA to provide their DEA numbers to insurance companies for the purpose of reimbursement under insurance plans.
Questions concerning this bulletin should be directed to Rhonda C. Myron, Deputy Commissioner, Life/Health Group at 512/322-3400.
Georgia D. Flint
Commissioner of Insurance