Maine now requires a real medical exam before any IV hydration treatment. In July 2026, the Maine Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Nursing adopted Chapter 15, closing a gap that once let some providers treat patients based on an online questionnaire instead of an actual evaluation by a physician, physician associate (PA), or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
At Maine Plastic Surgery, every IV hydration patient is evaluated by Dr. Hazboun or another qualified provider before treatment begins. Dr. Hazboun is board-certified in general surgery and board-eligible in plastic and reconstructive surgery, trained at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio with an aesthetic surgery fellowship in Sacramento.
This blog covers what Chapter 15 requires and why physician oversight matters for anyone considering IV hydration in Portland.
What Maine's Chapter 15 Rule Requires of IV Hydration Providers
According to the American Med Spa Association, Chapter 15 sets minimum safety standards for IV therapy businesses, medical spas, and medical aesthetic practices in Maine. Before administering an infusion, providers must now:
- Have a physician, PA, or APRN examine the patient and confirm a diagnosis before treatment
- Complete that exam in person or through live telehealth, since a static online questionnaire no longer qualifies
- Document informed consent in the patient's medical record
- Rely on a licensed provider, not an unlicensed medical assistant, for the exam, diagnosis, and prescribing
- Base treatment on an individual assessment, since standing orders are now considered unprofessional conduct
This rule, officially Chapter 15 of the Board of Licensure in Medicine's rules, applies to every IV hydration provider in Maine, from hospital-affiliated clinics to standalone med spas.
Why Physician Involvement Protects Patients During IV Treatment
An IV delivers fluids, vitamins, and medications directly into the bloodstream, so a thorough health history matters. Conditions like heart or kidney disease and pregnancy can change what's safe to give a patient, and skipping that review is exactly what Chapter 15 is meant to prevent.
The clinical team at Maine Plastic Surgery monitors every infusion, and Dr. Hazboun's surgical training helps him catch risk factors a form alone would miss. His general surgery residencies and experience with reconstructive and trauma cases give him a working knowledge of the medical conditions that can complicate an IV treatment.
What to Ask Before Choosing an IV Hydration Provider in Portland
Chapter 15 gives patients a simple checklist for evaluating any IV hydration provider. Before booking, ask:
- Did a physician, PA, or APRN examine me, or just a staff member?
- Is my treatment based on my own health history, or a preset menu?
- Who will be monitoring me during the infusion?
Maine Plastic Surgery can answer all three before a single drip begins, for standalone wellness visits and infusions paired with a surgical procedure alike.
Personalized, Physician-Guided IV Hydration in Portland with Dr. Hazboun
Chapter 15 puts into law the kind of care Maine Plastic Surgery already provides: a real evaluation before every IV hydration treatment. Dr. Hazboun brings the same medical judgment to a wellness infusion that he brings to the operating room. To learn more, schedule a consultation with Maine Plastic Surgery in Portland today.
