Evidence status: CURRENT BINDING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RULE. Minnesota Rules 5221.6110 requires a written treatment contract for an injured worker receiving long-term treatment with opioid analgesic medication.
Contract required
A patient receiving long-term opioid analgesic treatment must enter into a written treatment contract with the prescribing health-care provider as part of the integrated treatment program.
Medical-record and patient-copy requirements
The written contract must be made part of the patient’s medical record, and the patient must receive a copy.
Formal signatures
The rule requires dated signatures of both the patient and the prescribing health-care provider.
Model contract
The commissioner is directed to develop a model written contract covering the required subjects. Use of the commissioner’s model satisfies the contract-content requirement when completed and placed in the medical record.
New contract when needed
The patient and prescribing provider must enter into a new written contract whenever the prescribing provider deems it necessary.
Discontinuation for noncompliance
Except for circumstances where discontinuation is separately required by the monitoring rule, the prescribing provider has discretion to discontinue opioid treatment for contract noncompliance. Discontinuation must follow the rule’s tapering requirements, and alternative pain treatment or referral must be offered.
Primary source
Reviewed: October 5, 2026.
Evidence boundary: This is a workers’ compensation treatment-parameter rule. It is distinct from the separate statutory agreement required for intractable pain under Minn. Stat. §152.125.