NAMD and the Medicaid Medical Directors Network Urge the DEA to Expand Access to Buprenorphine

On March 31, NAMD and the Medicaid Medical Directors Network submitted comments in response to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposed rule, Expansion of Induction of Buprenorphine via Telemedicine Encounter [DEA–948].

The proposed rule would allow providers to prescribe a 30-day supply of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder without an in-person evaluation; patients would need to receive an in-person evaluation to continue their prescription beyond 30 days. In our comments, NAMD and MMDN express concerns that the resumption of the in-person visit requirement may restrict access to buprenorphine for Medicaid members, with particularly acute effects on members living in rural and frontier areas.

You can read our comments here.