Evidence status: CURRENT WORKERS’ COMPENSATION REIMBURSEMENT RULE. Michigan Administrative Rule R 418.101008a requires a signed opioid treatment agreement as part of the documentation required for reimbursement of qualifying chronic, non-cancer pain opioid treatment beyond 90 days.

Scope

The workers’ compensation opioid rules define chronic pain, for this purpose, as pain unrelated to cancer that persists beyond 90 days after onset. The rule applies within Michigan’s workers’ compensation health-care reimbursement system.

The agreement requirement

For reimbursement beyond 90 days, the physician must submit the required written report to the payer and include an opioid treatment agreement signed by the worker and attending physician.

Renewal

The opioid treatment agreement must be reviewed, updated, and renewed every six months.

Minimum agreement subjects

The agreement must address the risks and benefits of opioid use, the conditions under which opioids will be prescribed, and the responsibilities of both the prescribing physician and the worker.

Program boundary

This is not a universal Michigan outpatient chronic-pain agreement mandate. It is a workers’ compensation reimbursement rule tied to qualifying opioid treatment.

Primary sources

• Michigan Workers’ Compensation Health Care Services Rules
• Michigan WDCA Health Care Services

Reviewed: October 5, 2026.