HHS Extends Telemedicine Flexibilities to Keep Remote Prescribing for Controlled Substances

HHS extends telemedicine flexibilities that let clinicians prescribe controlled substances without an in‑person exam, keeping the temporary measures that began during the pandemic and allowing continued remote care for patients across the United States.

DEA announced three new telemedicine rules that maintain expanded prescribing authority, require secure video verification, and set reporting standards for telehealth providers, aiming to balance access with safety for patients receiving opioid or stimulant medications.

WHO and ITU released joint guidance urging nations to adopt interoperable telehealth platforms, standardize data privacy, and invest in broadband for underserved regions, citing that digital health can close gaps in primary care access.

Rural Health Information Hub reports that telehealth usage in U.S. rural clinics rose by 27 percent after the policy extensions, with primary‑care visits and mental‑health consultations now routinely conducted via video, improving patient reach where provider shortages persist.