PCSS: Telemedicine-Delivered Buprenorphine Treatment in the Age of COVID-19

There are not enough treatment providers to meet the needs of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Telemedicine can increase access to patients who require ongoing substance use disorder treatment. However, there are numerous regulatory, logistical and other clinical questions, which are also rapidly changing, around implementing telemedicine delivery of medication treatment for OUD (tele-MOUD). In this presentation, the Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS) will: present evidence on tele-MOUD but focus most of the discussion on clinical considerations in using implementing telemedicine to deliver quality buprenorphine treatment.

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Recognize key changes in federal regulations and guidance since the onset of COVID-19 and what they mean for telemedicine for OUD treatment.
• Describe the potential ways that telemedicine for OUD treatment can address current treatment needs while also discussing important clinical considerations, including specific patients’ characteristics, clinic practices, and local resources to consider.
• Review information on key regulatory/legal requirements and technology considerations for using telemedicine for OUD treatment.