Two federal agencies have delayed implementation of two rules that would have allowed clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) for up to 6 months without an in-person visit, stating that more time is needed to review whether the rules are lawful.
The rules — “Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter” and “Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients” — were initially proposed in March 2023, as reported by Medscape Medical News, and were revised after public input.
