This bill would change part of the Controlled Substances Act to allow telehealth visits to be used when prescribing some medicines for substance use disorder. It adds language saying that, for drugs in schedules III, IV, or V that the Food and Drug Administration has approved to treat a substance use disorder, a practitioner may use one telehealth evaluation of the patient for the purpose of prescribing. The bill also defines "telehealth evaluation" as a medical evaluation done by a practitioner (not a pharmacist) who is at a remote location and communicates with the patient using a telecommunications system referenced in the Social Security Act. The definition explicitly allows audio-only or audio-and-video two-way, real-time interactive communication.
If you are a patient seeking an FDA-approved medication in schedule III, IV, or V for substance use disorder, this bill would permit a practitioner to complete a required medical evaluation using telehealth (including audio-only calls) for the purpose of prescribing that medication. The bill text says the telehealth evaluation must be done in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws.
No publicly available information on costs, budgetary impacts, or how it would be funded is included in the bill text or metadata provided.
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata about statements from supporters, their reasons, or expected benefits.
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata about statements from opponents, their reasons, or expected concerns.