Prescribing by Telehealth

  • DEA Coronavirus Information Page - Telemedicine update declares that during the public health emergency, DEA-registered practitioners may issue prescriptions for controlled substances to patients for whom they have not conducted an in-person medical evaluation, provided all of the following conditions are met:  1) The prescription is issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a practitioner acting in the usual course of his/her professional practice; 2) The telemedicine communication is conducted using an audio-visual, real-time, two-way interactive communication system; and 3) The practitioner is acting in accordance with applicable Federal and State law.
  • The State Medical Board took steps to relax regulations requiring first in-person visits and posted a Telemedicine Guidance Update on 3/18/2020.  This incorporates the DEAs guidance to allow prescribing of controlled substances during the pandemic via telemedicine without first seeing the patient in-person when specific conditions are met.  The DEA guidance requires the telemedicine communication is conducted using an audio-visual, real-time, two-way interactive communication system, meaning prescribing cannot be provided by simple telephone call.  
  • Additionally, The State Medical Board has also created a COVID-19 webpage that includes links to local emergency management agencies (important contacts for PPE), local health departments, and additional updates on physician licensing, which has been relaxed for out-of-state practitioners, continuing education, and elective procedures, PPE, and testing.