Implementation of Substance Use Treatment in Ambulatory Care

This page provides answers to several important questions regarding state emergency orders and telehealth policies relevant to licensed psychologists during COVID-19.

This article shares critical precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk to patient safety when using telehealth and providing telemedicine services.

Treatment providers and peer support specialists looking for online and telephone support groups for their patients/peers should review the list below. Both 12 Step and non-12 Step-based online support groups are identified.

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to addiction treatment clinicians and programs on the regulatory and general practice issues related to the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 national emergency, which is also a public health emergency.

These policies are effective beginning March 31, 2020, and will remain in effect for the duration of the public health emergency, unless DEA specifies an earlier date. This decision tree summarizes policies adopted in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to allow DEA-registered practitioners to prescribe controlled substances without having to interact in-person with their patients the policies. This decision tree is for quick reference and does not provide a complete description of all requirements.

This brief provides an overview of telehealth for medication-assisted treatment.

The CY 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule was placed on display at the Federal Register on December 2, 2020. This final rule updates payment policies, payment rates, and other provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after Jan. 1, 2021. This final rule updates policies affecting the calculation of payment rates and includes misvalued codes. It also adds services to the telehealth list including a third temporary category for services added under the PHE, as well as certain other revisions to telehealth services.

Provider Bridge is a platform that will streamline the process for mobilizing health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies. Utilizing communications pathways and new technology, Provider Bridge will make it easier to connect health care professionals with state agencies and health care entities in order to quickly increase access to care for patients via telehealth.

The Commonwealth Fund, the Center for Care Innovations, and the University of California, San Francisco have launched this toolkit to support providers in using telemedicine to care for vulnerable patients during this challenging time, and as means of advancing health equity.

These clinical tools include guidance and forms for the implementation of medication-assisted treatment in ambulatory care settings.