New DEA requirement for buprenorphine in USA

[LanaCSR]

This is a follow along to the recent post by SueJohnson about the DEA requirement for seeing out-of-state doctors via telehealth in America. Has anyone seen this? (see link below) I am on buprenorphine and it works GREAT for my RLS and I live in the United States and see my neurologist via telehealth who is out of state. It seems that come May I won't be able to see my out-of-state neurologist virtually and continue getting my buprenorphine prescriptions unless I drive the 10-hour round trip to his office every month. I'm soooo worried!! I can't possibly make that drive every month. Please let me know if you are unable to access the link.

share.newsbreak.com/3fxiunz6

[ChrisColumbus]

☹ No chance of getting it prescribed locally? I see there's some medic opposition to the proposed May 11th change. Presume you've responded at:

regulations.gov/commenton/D...

[SueJohnson in reply to ChrisColumbus]

When I click on it it says not taking any comments.

[TheDoDahMan]

The way I read it was that you'd only have to make that trip to see your doctor once, then you could do telehealth thereafter. I could easily be wrong - anyone else with a point of view?

[LanaCSR in reply to TheDoDahMan]

OMG I would hope that's the case because I did see him in person for my very first visit. It just surprises me that my dr's office hasn't sent a letter or anything since this came out on March 8th to let me know if my future appointments would change as far as having to do in-person as opposed to telehealth. So I took that as a good sign, but I probably should contact them to see. Thank you for your input TheDoDahMan! 😊

[SleeplessinOR in reply to LanaCSR]

I read it like you did, that you can get 1 30 day prescription via telemedicine appointment, but any refills would require a face to face appointment. This is outrageous and will harm so many people. I really get tired of big brother “taking care” of all of us rather than letting us as adults and our doctors make our health care decisions.

[LanaCSR in reply to SleeplessinOR]

I know, right? 😩

[flobbest]

Ain't it grand that our government is keeping us so safe. If worse comes to worse.....you can always just cruise down to the southern border. I'm sure you can score whatever you need down there😋

[Opie__]

I see my neurologist out of state but the trip is only 2/3 hours. He was willing to work with my Primary Care doctor for my meds/lab work locally and it has worked out great. My PC writes my prescriptions locally and will reach out to out of state doctor if necessary for change in meds.

[LanaCSR in reply to Opie__]

My PC doesn't prescribe opioids. So he wouldn't be able to prescribe my buprenorphine. But I'm so happy for you that you were able to work that out between your doctors.

[SueJohnson]

You might want to notify Karla Dzienkouski at the RLS Foundation. They are the ones that put out the action alert that I posted.