HHS Opioid Treatment By Telemedicine

Published on: Jan 23, 2025

On Jan. 17, HHS issued final rule on opioid treatment via telemedicine.

  • HHS, Drug Enforcement Administration issued final rule amending regulations expand instances practitioners authorized to prescribe schedule III-V controlled substances.
  • For treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) by telemedicine, including audio-only.
  • Final Rule
  • Authorized under last category of telemedicine under Ryan Haight Act (PL 110-425), authorizes telemedicine when no in-person medical evaluation (21 USC 802(54)(G)).
  • Implements and enforces the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (CSA), and Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, (21 USC 801-971).
  • Final rule pertains to practitioners prescribing controlled substances to patients for the treatment of OUD in circumstances where the prescribing practitioner not conducted in-person medical evaluation of the patient prior to the issuance of the prescription.
  • After practitioner reviews patient's prescription drug monitoring program data for the state in which the patient is located during the telemedicine encounter.
  • Practitioner may prescribe initial six-month supply of such medications (split amongst several prescriptions totaling six calendar months) through audio-only means.
  • Additional prescriptions issued under other telemedicine or after in-person evaluation.
  • Also require pharmacist to verify identity of the patient prior to filling a prescription.
  • Not apply to practitioner-patient relationships in which there has already been a prior in-person medical evaluation of the patient by the prescribing practitioner.
  • Provider costs may rise slightly, totaling $191,171 annually, with minimal impact from new recordkeeping; small risk of substance diversion, but benefits for outweigh.
  • Effectiveness
  • Rule becomes effective Feb. 18, 2025.
Regulators
HHS
Entity Types
Ins
Reference
90 FR 6504, 1/17/2025; DEA-948; RIN 1117-AB78; COVID-19; Citation: *21 USC* 801, 802;
Functions
Claims/Accelerated Benefits; Compliance; Operations; Product Administration; Reporting; Technology
Countries
United States of America
Category
State
N/A
Products
Insurance; Insurance-Health
Rule Type
Final
Regions
Am
Rule Date
Jan 17, 2025
Effective Date
Feb 18, 2025
Rule ID
241189
Linked to
N/A
Reg. Last Update
Jan 17, 2025
Report Section
US Insurance