Telehealth and medications for opioid use disorder
Learn key elements to successfully use telehealth to integrate medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) into a treatment plan.
On this page:
Benefits of telehealth for MOUD treatment
The use of telehealth for MOUD is associated with a number of benefits:
- Increased treatment retention.
- Improved access to treatment.
- Reduced barriers to care such as childcare, work, and transportation.
- Decreased stigma.
Tip: You must act in the best interests of your patient and use your clinical judgment when deciding if telehealth is appropriate.
Successful elements of a telehealth MOUD practice
The success of a telehealth MOUD practice requires collaboration and coordination. This includes:
- Training of staff. It is critically important that the staff managing the telehealth encounter, coordinating care, and delivering follow-up services are appropriately trained.
- Establish patient eligibility. Before MOUD services can be delivered, the patient must meet the criteria for eligibility so that the services are effective. This also ensures that the provider is appropriately reimbursed.
- Establish a care pathway. The use of MOUD is a comprehensive and holistic approach to treatment of OUD. It is important that a treatment plan developed for the individual patient's needs is established to appropriately coordinate and deliver care virtually.
Prescribing controlled substances using telehealth
Authorized providers are able to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth if they meet certain criteria. Find more on prescribing controlled substances via telehealth.
More information:
Preparing patients for telebehavioral health — Health Resources and Services Administration
Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth — Health Resources and Services Administration
Tele-treatment for substance use disorders — Health Resources and Services Administration
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and TeleMAT Standards — Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center
Buprenorphine Quick-Start Guide (PDF) — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration