Telehealth for substance use disorder treatment and mental health services

(a)

Substance use disorder services and mental health services furnished through telehealth under Medicare

(1)

In general

Section 1834(m)(7)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following: With respect to telehealth services described in the preceding sentence that are furnished to an eligible telehealth individual with a substance use disorder diagnosis for purposes of treatment of such disorder or co-occurring mental health disorder on or after the date of the enactment of the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services Act, or, subject to subparagraph (B), that are furnished to an eligible telehealth individual for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of a mental health disorder, on or after the first day after the end of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), nothing shall preclude the furnishing of such services through audio or telephone only technologies in the case where a physician or practitioner has already conducted an in-person medical evaluation or a telehealth evaluation that utilizes both audio and visual capabilities with the eligible telehealth individual..(2)

Implementation

The Secretary of Health and Human Services may implement this subsection by program instruction or otherwise.(b)

Controlled substances dispensed by means of the internet

Section 309(e)(2) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 829(e)(2)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (A)(i)—(A)by striking at least 1 in-person medical evaluation and inserting the following:

at least—(I)1 in-person medical evaluation

; and

(B)by adding at the end the following:

(II)for purposes of prescribing a controlled substance in schedule III or IV, 1 telehealth evaluation; or

; and

(2)by adding at the end the following:

(D)(i)The term telehealth evaluation means a medical evaluation that is conducted in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws by a practitioner (other than a pharmacist) who is at a location remote from the patient and is communicating with the patient using a telecommunications system referred to in section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and distant site practitioner.(ii)Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed to imply that 1 telehealth evaluation demonstrates that a prescription has been issued for a legitimate medical purpose within the usual course of professional practice.(iii)A practitioner who prescribes the drugs or combination of drugs that are covered under section 303(g)(2)(C) using the authority under subparagraph (A)(i)(II) of this paragraph shall adhere to nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of patients with opioid use disorders and a diversion control plan, as those terms are defined in section 8.2 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this subparagraph.