On November 15, 2024, the DEA in concert with HHS issued a third temporary extension of COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications, to be effective through December 31, 2025. The purpose of the third temporary rule is to ensure a smooth transition for patients and qualified health professionals who have come to rely on the availability of telemedicine for controlled medication prescriptions.

These telemedicine flexibilities, originally granted in March 2020 as part of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, authorize qualified health professionals to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled medications via telemedicine, including Schedule III-V narcotic-controlled medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid use disorder via audio-only telemedicine encounters.

The DEA and HHS are in the process of developing final telemedicine regulations but with the end of 2024 nearing, they have decided to extend the current telemedicine flexibilities until December 31, 2025.

Below are resources to help you navigate the latest in telepsychiatry:

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