Extending Teleprescribing Flexibilities: A Lifeline for Underserved Patients

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is set to extend the Public Health Emergency (PHE) teleprescribing flexibilities through the end of 2025. To support this extension, The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), alongside 216 other organizations, recently signed a letter urging the Biden Administration to extend the current teleprescribing flexibilities for controlled substances for two more years. An extension will ensure continuity of care for millions of patients and provide additional time to build a plan balancing access and enforcement.

As the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, telehealth has become an essential tool in delivering healthcare to underserved individuals nationwide. For patients in rural areas, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness, teleprescribing offers a vital bridge to care-particularly for those managing chronic conditions or substance use disorders.

Community Health Centers, which serve nearly 32.5 million Americans, are on the front lines of this health crisis. In 2023 alone, nearly 400,000 telehealth visits for substance use disorder were conducted at health centers. With patients increasingly managing complex conditions, teleprescribing is critical to ensuring continued access to necessary medications and support. It's not just a convenience-it's a lifeline for those who need it most. Read the full letter.