In response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the federal government allowed providers to prescribe buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorder via telehealth, without an initial in-person exam. However, the flexibilities are set to expire at the end of the year.
Why it matters: Providing treatment to patients with addiction as soon as they are ready is critical, and allowing buprenorphine access without first requiring an in-person appointment can help facilitate this.
Telehealth can help reduce barriers that keep many individuals from accessing in-person treatment, including
- lack of transportation
- taking time off work or school to go to an in-person appointment
- stigma associated with seeking treatment
What you can do: Help make these telehealth flexibilities permanent by sending a letter to your members of Congress encouraging them to support the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act. Let's work together to continue to expand access to opioid use disorder treatment.
