Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth
Authorized providers are able to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth if they meet certain criteria.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), issued a temporary rule to allow the following:
- All telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled medications as were in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will remain in place through November 11, 2023
- For any practitioner-patient telemedicine relationships that have been or will be established on or before November 11, 2023, all telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled medications as were in place during the COVID-19 PHE will continue to be permitted through November 11, 2024
Telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled medications as were in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency include:
- A practitioner can prescribe a controlled substance to a patient using telemedicine, even if the patient isn’t at a hospital or clinic registered with the DEA
- Qualifying practitioners can prescribe buprenorphine to new and existing patients with opioid use disorder based on a telephone evaluation
For more on the specific requirements for practitioners, see:
- Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications – from the Drug Enforcement Administration