LAUSR

Because it constrains telemedicine use for opioid use disorder (OUD), many have advocated for the repeal of the Ryan Haight Act requirement that clinicians conduct an in-person evaluation before prescribing buprenorphine.1,2 The SUPPORT Act of 2018 requires the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to create a regulatory pathway for buprenorphine prescribing via telemedicine, but the DEA has yet to do so. Concerns remain at the DEA about a possibly greater diversion risk when clinicians prescribe via telemedicine.3 Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, regulators waived the restriction of the Ryan Haight Act to expand access to OUD treatment.4 This temporary waiver allowed us to study telemedicine use for buprenorphine inductions in a commercially insured population.