May 11, 2024, marked one year since the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), and not much has changed in Medicare telehealth policy. We are still operating under temporary waivers and flexibilities and, as a...more
In a significant stride toward expanding access to addiction treatment services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published, on January 31, its Final Rule allowing telehealth access to...more
The rule allowing for providers to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth, set to expire for new patient-provider relationships on November 11, has been extended through the end of 2024....more
On October 10, 2023, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued another extension (Second Temporary Rule) of its pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities “in light of the need to further evaluate the best course of...more
On October 10, 2023, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a new temporary rule which extends, through December 31, 2024, the ability of ...more
This month, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (“SAMHSA”), issued a Second Temporary Rule further extending the telemedicine waivers...more
On October 6, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Second Temporary Rule, further extending the ability to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine...more
On October 6, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a second temporary rule extending the COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications. This second extension, issued...more
In response to the large number of public comments received to its recent proposed telemedicine rules, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding public listening sessions to consider a special registration for...more
On August 4, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) announced plans to host two public listening sessions, scheduled to take place on September 12 and 13, 2023 at DEA’s headquarters in Arlington, VA, to collect...more
Reversing previously proposed rules, the DEA recently issued new guidance allowing the continued use of telehealth when prescribing controlled substances following the end of the Covid-19 public health emergency (“PHE”)....more
On May 9, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a temporary rule that extends pandemic-era flexibilities allowing prescribing of controlled substances based on a telehealth relationship, after receiving in...more
Two days ahead of the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a temporary rule extending...more
Earlier this year in late February, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced proposed rules attempting to change the rules for tele-prescribing controlled drugs that were permitted during the COVID-19 Public Health...more
On February 24, 2023, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) announced proposed permanent rules (the Telemedicine Controlled Substance Proposed Rule and the Telemedicine Buprenorphine Proposed Rule —...more
Below is Alston & Bird’s Health Care Week in Review, which provides a synopsis of the latest news in health care regulations, notices, and guidance; federal legislation and congressional committee action; reports, studies,...more
The U.S. Congress passed the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 (“Ryan Haight Act”) because of “the increasing use of prescription controlled substances by adolescents and others for non-medical...more
The pandemic has also overhauled how physicians and health care providers practice in North Carolina, with many offices switching to virtual exams to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. North Carolina Medical Board's...more
Under the Ryan Haight Act, healthcare providers must usually conduct an in-person examination before prescribing controlled substances, such as opioids, via the internet (including telehealth or telemedicine). However, as a...more
Updated March 27, 2020 with new direction from Governor Reynolds about telehealth reimbursement. On March 16, 2020, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) removed the requirement that providers must conduct an in-person...more
Electronic prescribing (“e-prescribing”) allows health care providers to submit prescriptions to a pharmacy electronically, using a secure software system. E-prescribing increases patient safety, security, and efficiency...more
Governor Desantis recently signed House Bill 831, which will require certain healthcare practitioners to “electronically transmit prescriptions”. Unfortunately, the legislature left this term undefined, creating some...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