Expanding Telehealth Access to Controlled Substances for Mental Health and OUD Treatment.
This Act expands patient access to controlled substances (Schedules II-V) for mental health disorders and opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment via telehealth. Practitioners can now issue valid prescriptions after at least one remote evaluation, removing the previous requirement for an initial in-person visit for many controlled substances. The law also streamlines licensing for psychiatrists practicing across state lines and sets new standards for pharmacies filling telehealth prescriptions.
Key points
Patients can receive prescriptions for approved mental health controlled substances or OUD treatment after a single telehealth evaluation, significantly increasing remote access to care.
Psychiatrists licensed in one state can more easily practice via telehealth in other states with similar licensing requirements, potentially increasing specialist availability.
Pharmacists face civil penalties (up to $25,000) if they refuse to fill a telehealth prescription without first attempting to validate it with the patient and prescriber.
Introduced
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