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Ryan Haight Act telemedicine Flexibilities Extended Through 2026
The drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has extended temporary flexibilities under the Ryan Haight Act (RHA) allowing increased access to telemedicine for prescribing controlled substances through December 31, 2026. This extension avoids potential disruptions to patient care and provides continued regulatory clarity as the agency works toward establishing permanent rules.
Background: The Ryan Haight Act and Telemedicine
The RHA generally requires a practitioner to have conducted an in-person medical evaluation before prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine. Though, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the DEA implemented temporary exceptions to these requirements to expand access to care. This is the fourth extension of those temporary rules.
Current Flexibilities
Under the extended temporary rule,DEA-registered practitioners can prescribe Schedule II through V controlled substances via telemedicine without a prior in-person evaluation,provided the following conditions are met:
- The