The final rule from the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services allows Veterans Affairs (VA) practitioners to prescribe controlled substances to VA patients via telemedicine without needing an in-person medical evaluation by the prescribing practitioner. This is permissible if another VA practitioner has conducted an in-person evaluation. This change provides greater access to care for veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas, while still implementing safeguards against the misuse of controlled substances. The rule includes requirements for reviewing the patient's electronic health record and state prescription drug monitoring program data before prescribing.
Simple Explanation
Veterans Affairs doctors can now give prescriptions over the phone or computer to veterans without seeing them in-person first, as long as another VA doctor has seen them before. This helps veterans get the medicines they need even if they live far away from a doctor’s office.