DEA extends telehealth prescribing flexibilities

Despite the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration this week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced a six-month extension of the temporary rule that allowed physicians to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine without an in-person evaluation during the pandemic.

With the DEA’s decision to keep the telehealth flexibilities in place through November 11, 2023, medical practitioners will not be subject to the requirement that at least one in-person medical examination be conducted with a patient before prescribing them a controlled medicine.

A practitioner-patient telemedicine relationship started after November 11, 2023, will be subject to pre-pandemic rules requiring the in-person examination. However, if a practitioner has established a telemedicine relationship with a patient prior to that date, they will be able to continue to prescribe them controlled substances until November 11, 2024.

Source: CNN