DEA Extends Telehealth Prescribing Flexibility of Controlled Substances – for the Third Time
December 13, 2024
Good news! A COVID-19 pandemic-era policy that allows physicians to prescribe controlled substances in a telehealth visit has been temporarily extended once again – now through Dec. 31, 2025. The new rule was recently published in the Federal Register.
Although this last extension was set to expire at the end of 2024, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has extended the temporary rule for telehealth prescribing of controlled substances, including those used to treat opioid use disorder.
The first extension from the originally adopted telemedicine flexibilities in March 2020 was extended to Nov. 11, 2023. The policy was then extended again to Dec. 31, 2024, and now through 2025.
During 2023, the DEA initially sought to require patients to visit a physician or clinic within 30 days of receiving a prescription for a controlled substance. The proposed rule received public outcry, including from harm reduction experts who predicted that it would disrupt access to buprenorphine. That resulted in the second temporary extension of the telehealth prescribing flexibility that was scheduled to expire at the end of this month.
ISMS applauds the extension through the end of 2025 as a win for physicians and patients. The rule ensures that patient care is not interrupted and gives healthcare prescribers time to adjust to future regulations.If you have questions, please contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team by email.