Telehealth Prescribing Policies Set for Overhaul in 2025
Washington, D.C., Monday, 30 December 2024.
In 2025, telehealth prescribing policies will evolve through collaboration, expanding access while ensuring safety, particularly in addiction and behavioral health care.
Current State of Telehealth Prescribing
The landscape of telehealth prescribing has undergone significant transformation since 2020, with electronic prescribing for controlled substances showing remarkable growth from 37% to 62% by 2021 [1]. Virtual prescribing for mental health services has experienced an even more dramatic increase, rising from 1.4% in 2019 to 38.4% by 2022 [1]. This expansion has proven particularly impactful for Medicaid beneficiaries, with states like Kentucky and Ohio seeing an increase from 2% to over 15% in buprenorphine treatment access via telehealth between 2020 and 2023 [1].
Safety and Compliance Challenges
Recent developments have highlighted the critical importance of maintaining robust safety protocols in telehealth prescribing. High-profile cases from 2024, including Done Health’s executive charges and Cerebral’s $3.6 million settlement for unauthorized distribution of controlled substances [1], underscore the need for stringent oversight. Healthcare providers must navigate a complex regulatory environment comprising both federal regulations and 50 different state systems [2], with HIPAA compliance requiring secure platforms for protecting patient information during telehealth visits [3].
Evidence Supporting Virtual Care Benefits
Research continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of virtual healthcare delivery. A notable JAMA Psychiatry study revealed that Medicare patients receiving virtual care for opioid use disorder demonstrated a 33% lower risk of fatal drug overdose [1]. This evidence supports the continuation of telehealth prescribing flexibilities, particularly as they benefit rural and underserved communities who might otherwise lose access to mental healthcare [1]. The DEA’s extension of virtual prescribing flexibilities through 2025 [1] provides a temporary framework, though stakeholders emphasize the need for permanent solutions.
Future Framework and Recommendations
As the healthcare system approaches the 2025 deadline for current flexibilities [1], industry leaders advocate for a collaborative approach to policy development. Peter Ax, CEO of UpScriptHealth, emphasizes that regulators should engage with various constituencies before implementing new rules [2]. Healthcare providers are advised to strengthen compliance protocols and enhance care coordination before the 2025 deadline [1]. The success of permanent telehealth prescribing policies will depend on maintaining a balance between accessibility and safety, with particular attention to reimbursement policies that vary among Medicare, Medicaid, and private payers [3].