The Facts

Maintaining Telehealth Care For Opioid Use Disorder Is Critical

"Telehealth for OUD is the only proven example we know that accomplishes the Quintuple Aim of enhancing patient experience, improving population health, reducing costs, supporting the workforce, and achieving health equity."

Increased use of telehealth services and medications for opioid use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic associated with reduced risk for fatal overdose

The results of this study add to the growing research documenting the benefits of expanding the use of telehealth services for people with opioid use disorder, as well as the need to improve retention and access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder

Telehealth Improves Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

"People with opioid use disorder who received telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to stay on their medications and less likely to overdose. The findings support continuing the expanded telehealth access that began during the pandemic."

Receipt of Telehealth Services, Receipt and Retention of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, and Medically Treated Overdose Among Medicare Beneficiaries Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Evidence shows that telehealth services are equivalent or superior to in-person care and result in increased OUD treatment initiation and retention

Increased Use of Telehealth for Opioid Use Disorder Services During COVID-19 Pandemic Associated with Reduced Risk of Overdose

The CDC did their own study that showed that telehealth reduced overdose risk significantly

Survey Shows Most Physicians Favor Allowing Telehealth to Treat Opioid Use Disorder

Most clinicians are also in favor of expanding telehealth treatment for OUD

Study: Telehealth Just as Effective as In-Person Care for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Telehealth was a comparable alternative to in-person care for opioid use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that telehealth can safely be used to expand access to this care, according to researchers.

Telehealth Can Lower Barriers to Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder -- Emergency Medicine Physician Discusses the Value of Making Telehealth a Permanent Part of Addiction Medicine

An Emergency Medicine Physician discusses the value of making telehealth a permanent part of addiction medicine

Telehealth services for opioid addiction reduced overdose deaths during COVID-19 pandemic

Telehealth opioid use was linked to a 33% lower overdose death risk among Medicare beneficiaries during the pandemic compared with no treatment. The results emphasize the expansion of telehealth services.

Experts Express 'Grave Concerns' Over DEA's Proposed Telemedicine Rule

In-person visit requirements could lead to unfilled prescriptions and overdose deaths

SAMHSA Proposes Update to Federal Rules to Expand Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Help Close Gap in Care

The US Dept of Health and Human services (HHS) recommended making expanded access to telehealth MOUD permanent in 2022

More Than 70 Orgs Urge DEA: Revise Telehealth Controlled-Substance Rules

"The American Psychiatric Association, American Telemedicine Association, American Medical Association and dozens of other stakeholders pushed for the permanent waiver of in-person prescription requirements. Citing a 2021 study, they noted that the use of telehealth in harm-reduction primary-care programs providing buprenorphine helped increase access to care and overcome health inequities."

Opioid Addiction is a Disease. We Cut Red Tape So Doctors Can Finally Treat it Effectively.

Biden and Congress eliminated the X-Waiver earlier this year, removing a key barrier to prescribing buprenorphine. We must keep going.

It’s ‘Telehealth vs. No Care’: Doctors Say Congress Risks Leaving Patients Vulnerable

"Psychiatrist Dr. Sara Gibson has used telehealth for decades in rural Apache County, Arizona. “There are some people who have no access to care without telehealth,” she said. “That has to be added into the equation.” Gibson, who is also medical director for Little Colorado Behavioral Health Centers in Arizona, said one key question for policymakers as they look ahead is not whether telehealth is better than face-to-face. It’s “telehealth vs. no care,” she said."

Telehealth and Substance Use Disorder Services in the Era of COVID-19

The White House themselves recommended keeping and expanding PHE access to MOUD via telehealth

Using Evidence to Inform Legislation Aimed at Curbing Fentanyl Deaths

These restrictions create barriers between clinicians and at-risk populations, and they highlight a disconnect between policy makers and evidence-driven policy discussions.

Continuing increased access to buprenorphine in the United States via telemedicine after COVID-19

To Expand Reach of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment, States Can Use Telehealth

BPC The Future of Telehealth After COVID-19

National Trends in Buprenorphine Prescribing Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Fall 2022 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

Transforming Management of Opioid Use Disorder with Universal Treatment

A 2023 Agenda for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment in the US

Physician Response to COVID-19-Driven Telehealth Flexibility for Opioid Use Disorder

Rules for prescribing controlled drugs via telemedicine: A research roundup and explainer

CHIEF CHAT: Preserving telemedicine options will fight opioid crisis

Opinion: Don’t curb opioid prescriptions through telemedicine. They’re saving lives.

DEA proposal sparks concerns about access to telehealth

CMA tells DEA new telemedicine rules will limit access for most vulnerable patients

Proposed DEA restrictions on telehealth will accelerate America’s opioid crisis

Optimizing Telehealth Access to Addiction Care

Improving Telehealth and Virtual Care for Pain Management and Substance Use Disorders

Lowering the Barriers to Medication Treatment for People with Opioid Use Disorder: Evidence for a Low-Threshold Approach

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Improve Patient Outcomes: FDA-approved drugs reduce overdose risk but are often unavailable

From rural communities to underserved populations: How telemedicine is bridging health care gaps

Telemedicine in the opioid crisis: a game-changer threatened by DEA regulations

Rigid Opiate Agonist Treatment Programmes Risk Denying People their Agency

Adaptation of the Tele-Harm Reduction Intervention to Promote Initiation and Retention in Buprenorphine Treatment Among People who Inject Drugs: a Retrospective Cohort Study

Opioid Crisis:Status of Public Health Emergency Authorities

Renewal of Opioid Public Health Emergency

Implementing the White House's Strategic Plan to Save Lives Amid the Opioid Crisis: Reaching for the "North Star"

Unsupervised Use of Opioid Treatment Medications

Telemedicine and Prescribing Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

Telemedicine & Initiating Buprenorphine Treatment

Buprenorphine Access: Telehealth Revolution Faces Uncertain Future

Telemedicine Increases Access to Buprenorphine Initiation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Study Finds No Increased Overdose Risk from Pandemic Waivers to Treat Opioid Addiction Virtually

Expanding Access to Buprenorphine Treatment in Rural Areas With the Use of Telemedicine

These Key Telehealth Policy Changes Would Improve Buprenorphine Access While Advancing Health Equity

Telehealth for LGBTQ+ Patients Guide

Plan Your Telehealth Workflow A tip sheet for making telehealth part of your practice

Telemedicine Rates Highly for Quality and Patient Experience

Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in the Age of COVID-19: Can New Regulations Modify the Opioid Cascade?

Telemedicine-Delivered Treatment Interventions for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

COVID-19: A Catalyst for Change in Telehealth Service Delivery for Opioid Use Disorder Management

Using Telehealth to Improve Buprenorphine Access During and After COVID-19: A Rapid Response Initiative in Rhode Island

The Intertwined Expansion of Telehealth and Buprenorphine Access from a Prescriber Hub

An Examination of Telehealth Policy Impacts on Initial Rural Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mobile Telemedicine for Buprenorphine Treatment in Rural Populations With Opioid Use Disorder

A Telemedicine Buprenorphine Clinic to Serve New York City: Initial Evaluation of the NYC Public Hospital System's Initiative to Expand Treatment Access During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Low-Threshold Buprenorphine via Community Partnerships and Telemedicine-Case Reports of Expanding Access to Addiction Treatment During COVID-19

Use of Telemedicine for Buprenorphine Inductions in Patients With Commercial Insurance or Medicare Advantage

Outcomes of a NYC Public Hospital System Low-Threshold Tele-Buprenorphine Bridge Clinic at 1 Year

Comparing Telemedicine to In-Person Buprenorphine Treatment in U.S. Veterans With Opioid Use Disorder

Utilization of Telehealth Solutions for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Using Buprenorphine: A Scoping Review

Impact of COVID-19 Telehealth Policy Changes on Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Impact of Reduced Restrictions on Buprenorphine Prescribing During COVID-19 Among Patients in a Community-Based Treatment Program

Understanding Opportunities and Challenges with Telemedicine-Delivered Buprenorphine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Perspectives of Patients Receiving Telemedicine Services for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: A Qualitative Analysis of User Experiences

Physicians Overwhelmingly in Favor of Permanent Telehealth Use in OUD Treatment

Practical Technology for Expanding and Improving Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Telehealth, Remote Monitoring, and Digital Health Interventions

Implementation of Telemedicine Delivery of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Pennsylvania Treatment Programs During COVID-19

A Virtual-First Telehealth Treatment Model for Opioid Use Disorder

Providing Low-barrier Addiction Treatment Via a Telemedicine Consultation Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Los Angeles, County: An Assessment 1 Year Later

Telemedicine Use and Quality of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Effects of Telehealth on Dropout and Retention in Care among Treatment-Seeking Individuals with Substance Use Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Telemedicine for Opioid Addiction Saves Lives. Let’s Make Sure it Continues

It’s Time to Cement Telehealth’s Place in U.S. Health Care

These Four Telehealth Changes Should Stay, Even After the Pandemic

A Case for Permanent Adoption of Expanded Telehealth Services and Prescribing Flexibilities for Opioid Use Disorder: Insights From Pandemic-Prompted Emergency Authorities

Policies to Improve Substance Use Disorder Treatment with Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Combating the Opioid Crisis: Smarter Spending to Enhance the Federal Response

ONDCP Announces Report on Improving Telehealth Services for Substance Use Disorder

FACT SHEET: President Biden to Announce Strategy to Address Our National Mental Health Crisis, As Part of Unity Agenda in his First State of the Union