Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 17, 2025, doctors can prescribe buprenorphine for opioid treatment through telemedicine, including phone calls without video, after checking patient data. Patients can get up to six months’ worth of medicine split into several prescriptions, making treatment easier and more accessible. Pharmacists must confirm patient identity before filling these prescriptions, helping keep things safe and smooth.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Buprenorphine by Phone Allowed
Starting February 18, 2025, DEA-registered practitioners may prescribe FDA-approved schedule III-V medications for opioid use disorder via a telemedicine encounter, including audio-only (phone) encounters. This applies when the practitioner reviews the patient's prescription drug monitoring program data for the state where the patient is located before prescribing.
Initial Six-Month Supply Permitted
Practitioners may prescribe up to an initial six-month supply of buprenorphine-containing medications via telemedicine, split among several prescriptions totaling six calendar months. The six-month initial supply replaces the previously proposed 30-day limit for audio-only encounters.
Practitioners Must Check PDMP
Before issuing a telemedicine prescription under this rule, the practitioner must review the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data of the state where the patient is located and must annotate the date and time of that PDMP review. This requirement applies prior to issuing the prescription.
Seven-Day Backstop If PDMP Down
If the practitioner cannot access the PDMP, they may issue renewable seven-day buprenorphine prescriptions until the six-month limit is reached, but must note the date/time of each PDMP access attempt and must attempt PDMP review every seven days. This allows short-term access when PDMP data is unavailable.
Continued Prescribing via Telemedicine
After the initial six-month supply, practitioners may continue prescribing under other forms of telemedicine as authorized under the Controlled Substances Act or after an in-person medical evaluation. The rule does not require a prior in-person evaluation when one already exists.
Pharmacists Must Verify Identity
Pharmacists are required to verify the identity of the patient (or an individual who qualifies as the 'ultimate user') before filling a controlled substance prescription issued under this rule. The rule authorizes pharmacists to accept identification from anyone who falls under the statutory definition of 'ultimate user.'
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