This past week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it would temporarily extend telemedicine flexibilities for the prescription of certain controlled medications granted under the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which is set to expire on May 11.

This week, the DEA added some specificity to that promise – allowing an extension of six months, through Nov. 11, 2023, and, in tandem with HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, promising a grace period for virtual prescribing of certain controlled medications to last at least until November 2024.

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram had said the agency received a "record" 38,000-plus comments on its proposed telemedicine rules and responded with the extension accordingly.

On Tuesday, the American Telemedicine Association again applauded the agencies for their recognition of the value of telehealth and remote care. 

"The ATA and ATA Action strongly commend the actions that the DEA has taken, jointly with SAMHSA, in temporarily extending flexibilities for the remote prescribing of clinically appropriate controlled substances for six months," said Kyle Zebley, senior vice president, public policy, the ATA, and executive director, ATA Action. 

He noted that ATA recognizes "the importance of continuity of care for these patients, and responding appropriately and thoughtfully to the countless concerned Americans who commented on earlier draft rules."

ATA had outlined several of its arguments and provided suggestions to update the proposed rules in order to maintain mechanisms that prevent diversion and at the same time ensure patients do not lose access to necessary treatments in two letters to the federal agencies.

"It is especially important and encouraging that these actions cover access to clinically appropriate prescriptions of controlled substances that patients need for a wide variety of medical circumstances, including for mental health and substance use disorders," said Zebley. 

He added that ATA hoped federal agencies would use the extension period to further address "unnecessarily restrictive barriers to equitable and appropriate clinical care, such as mandating in-person visits."

Andrea Fox is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.