The DEA has announced new proposed rules for prescribing buprenorphine, a medication-assisted treatment. The new rules would replace a relatively flexible policy adopted during the early days of the pandemic that expanded MAT treatment to people even if they had never met their doctors in person. The new rules limit who can prescribe medication and for how long. These rules give preferential treatment to prescribed and overseen in-person MAT, which will create access barriers for many people.
Why Is Telehealth MAT Important to Fighting Opioid Addiction?
Telehealth treatment has filled an essential gap during the pandemic. People who have jobs to support, don’t have access to transportation, or live in rural communities often have trouble going in person for their treatment services. Sometimes stigma also can hold them back. MAT is still a relatively new program, and people sometimes misunderstand how it works. Doctors sometimes mistakenly believe that MAT is a different way for drug users to get high.
Expanding online access to MAT was a game-changer for many people. Privacy is vital to people with addiction, and being able to see doctors on their schedule is also important.
Telehealth access to MAT will now put some people in the difficult position of stopping their treatment. But, unfortunately, it may also cause some people to miss an opportunity to get clean and sober.
What Do the New DEA Rules Say?
The new DEA rule proposals clarify that access to MAT via online telehealth appointments will soon be limited. The DEA says that online doctors will be allowed to supply a 30-day supply of buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder, but after that, they must see a person in their office to continue their treatment.
Patients will have to see an in-person provider to continue the treatment. Sometimes, they may have to know the treatment provider regularly rather than online.
The bottom line is that changes are coming; doctors must be prepared to see rural patients in person. Some communities have implemented tools such as vans for opioid treatment that can visit. Other communities, however, are low on resources, and individuals may not have access to in-person doctors willing to treat opioid use disorder.
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