Authors: Heather Saunders and Nirmita Panchal

Publication Year: July 11, 2023

Keywords: Substance Use, telehealth, harm reduction

Abstract: Federal policies governing substance use disorder treatment have undergone rapid changes during the pandemic; however, the extent to which these changes can address the surge in opioid overdose deaths is unclear. Some of these policy adjustments are permanent, while others could revert to pre-pandemic regulations. In this brief, we examine the following 5 key federal policies and implications for access and treatment for OUD:

• Access to buprenorphine medication via telehealth
• Changes to dispensing methadone
• Changes to provider regulations for the prescribing of buprenorphine
• Changes in access to opioid overdose prevention and reversal methods
• Guidance to leverage Medicaid for pre- and post-release from prison access to OUD treatment services

Source: Link to Original Article.

Type of Resource: Research Blog Post