Vets Get Buprenorphine via Telemedicine Starting Late 2025
Published Date: 3/24/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting December 31, 2025, veterans can get buprenorphine treatment and follow-up care through telemedicine, making it easier to access help for opioid use disorder without leaving home. This change affects veterans using VA health services and aims to improve treatment access while the government reviews feedback and policies. No new costs are mentioned, but the delay gives agencies time to ensure the rules work well.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Telemedicine: Prescribe OUD Medicines, Including Audio-only
The rules expand when DEA-registered practitioners may prescribe FDA‑approved schedule III–V medicines for opioid use disorder via a telemedicine encounter, including audio-only telemedicine. This expansion (from the final rule published Jan 17, 2025) will be effective December 31, 2025.
VA Continuity: VA Clinicians Can Prescribe via Telemedicine
VA practitioners acting within their VA employment are authorized to prescribe schedule II–V controlled substances via telemedicine to a VA patient without having conducted the in-person medical evaluation themselves, so long as another VA practitioner previously conducted an in-person medical evaluation. This rule language comes from the final rule published Jan 17, 2025 and will be effective December 31, 2025.
Effective Date Delayed to December 31, 2025
The agencies delayed the effective dates of both Jan 17, 2025 final rules to December 31, 2025, and note that the Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities permits practitioners to prescribe via telemedicine through December 31, 2025. The delay was finalized on March 20, 2025.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-02793, Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter and Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients
The government is giving veterans easier access to buprenorphine treatment through telemedicine, letting them get care remotely. This change affects veterans using VA health services and aims to make treatment smoother and more convenient. The new rules were supposed to start February 18, 2025, but now they’ll kick in on March 21, 2025, while the government gathers public feedback.
2025-24123, Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
The DEA and HHS are extending special telemedicine rules that let doctors prescribe controlled medications without an in-person visit through December 31, 2026. This helps patients who need these meds get care safely from home. Doctors and patients can keep using telehealth for these prescriptions without extra costs or delays during this time.
2026-11526, Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 2018: Dispensing and Administering Controlled Substances for Medication-Assisted Treatment
Starting July 9, 2026, new rules make it easier for doctors and pharmacies to provide medicine that helps people recover from opioid addiction. These changes affect healthcare providers by expanding who can give medication-assisted treatment and how pharmacies can deliver these medicines. The goal? Faster, safer access to treatment with clear rules that save time and support recovery.
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2026-20750, L Krenk DBA Maui Clinic Pharmacy; Decision and Order
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