The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) just released a new regulation temporarily extending the COVID-era flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine. This third extension continues the “full set”...more
In the wake of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) notice of a forthcoming proposed rule with a third extension of flexibilities related to telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances, some industry stakeholders...more
After considerable pressure from both Congress and the White House, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) submitted a proposed rule regarding flexibilities on telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances on October...more
On May 10, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) released a new regulation – “Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications” – temporarily extending the “full set” of...more
On February 24, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency announced proposed rules for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency expires. The proposed rules are open for public...more
2/27/2023
/ Controlled Substances ,
DEA ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Opioid ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Proposed Rules ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Recordkeeping Requirements ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
SAMHSA ,
Telemedicine
With 2022 closed, there is growing anticipation (trepidation?) about what is in store for digital health in the new year. Will venture funding trickle or will 2023 see more liquidity in the markets? What legal and policy...more
The American Hospital Association (AHA), on behalf of its nearly 5,000 member hospitals and health systems, sent a letter urging the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to take immediate action to allow telemedicine prescribing of...more
Starting January 1, 2023, Medicare will cover telehealth-based treatment services delivered by federally-accredited opioid treatment programs (OTPs), commonly referred to as “methadone clinics.” This new reimbursement is...more
11/10/2022
/ Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) ,
DEA ,
Drug Treatment ,
Final Rules ,
Medicare ,
Opioid ,
Physician Fee Schedule ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
SAMHSA ,
Social Security Act ,
Substance Abuse ,
Telehealth
A coalition of health care associations has issued a call for stakeholders to sign onto a letter urging the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to take immediate action allowing telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances...more
Florida has taken another step towards expanding telemedicine. On April 6, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law legislation to remove Florida’s prior restrictions on telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances....more
What is the Telehealth Extension and Evaluation Act?
The Telehealth Extension and Evaluation Act would establish a two-year extension for certain COVID-19 emergency telehealth waivers. The legislation aims to extend the...more
2/15/2022
/ Beneficiaries ,
CARES Act ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Extensions ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Medicare ,
New Legislation ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
State Legislatures ,
Telehealth ,
Waivers
Massachusetts has a new telehealth law on the books, signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker as part of a comprehensive healthcare bill. The telehealth provisions constitute only a portion of the 70-page legislation, but...more
On January 9, 2019, the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) issued a policy comment letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), advocating for provider-friendly changes to federal controlled substance...more
President Trump just signed into law the “Special Registration for Telemedicine Act of 2018” (the Act), requiring the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to activate a special registration allowing physicians and nurse...more
10/25/2018
/ Controlled Substances ,
Controlled Substances Act ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Health Care Providers ,
Opioid ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Proposed Regulation ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
Telemedicine ,
Trump Administration
Connecticut has taken another step towards expanding the meaningful use of telemedicine in connection with treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. SB 302, signed by Governor Dannel Malloy and effective July 1,...more
6/27/2018
/ Controlled Substances Act ,
Drug & Alcohol Abuse ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Governor Malloy ,
Health Care Providers ,
Mental Health ,
New Legislation ,
Opioid ,
Pain Management ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Physicians ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Public Safety ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
Telemedicine
Congress has taken another step forward to require the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to activate a special registration allowing physicians and nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances via...more
4/30/2018
/ Controlled Substances ,
DEA ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Health Care Providers ,
In-Person Exam ,
New Legislation ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Proposed Regulation ,
Registration ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
Telehealth ,
Telemedicine
It seems the efforts of telemedicine advocates to change federal law and allow greater prescribing of controlled substances are no longer falling on deaf ears. Congress just released a pair of draft discussion bills to amend...more
Indiana has taken another step towards expanding the meaningful use of telemedicine in connection with clinical services and prescribing. HB 1337, signed by Governor Eric Holcomb and effective July 1, 2017, will allow...more
Editor’s Note: This article is the second in a series addressing telemedicine prescribing and controlled substances, designed to give some much needed practical guidance and orientation to established healthcare providers,...more
4/18/2017
/ Controlled Substances ,
DEA ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Department of Veterans Affairs ,
Exemptions ,
Health Care Providers ,
Hospitals ,
Medical Emergencies ,
Native American Issues ,
Physicians ,
Prescribing Authority ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
Telemedicine ,
Veterans