The government has made permanent pandemic-era flexibilities on virtual prescribing and monitoring substance use disorder medications. As a result, telemedicine MAT programs may soon be more common. The 2024 SAMHSA Final Rule made COVID-era flexibility around telehealth treatment and take-home doses permanent.
Factors such as lack of access mean only one-quarter of people who need MAT in the U.S. actually receive it. In some programs, this can drop retention rates to nearly one-half, dramatically increasing the likelihood of patient relapse. Telehealth tools allow patients to overcome these barriers while still receiving the proper medication and therapy.
Enrolled patients are provided with a secure medication dispenser, which allows them to safely access only the correct dosages at the correct times, avoiding overdose or abuse. Patients can take a video of themselves taking their approved dosages and send it via secure app to their providers. This allows providers to oversee the administration while maintaining flexibility in their days, reducing administrative burden and speeding the observation process."
【MORE】