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Patient updates on the national medication shortage & DEA rules.
Patient Updates
Stay Informed and Stay Empowered
We are happy to make it easy for patients to schedule appointments with us. Patients can directly book an appointment with us by visiting any of our offices in person once. But if patients can’t visit one of our offices, they can go to their PCP (Primary Care Provider) and ask them to give us a referral.
The latest PHE updates
Stay Informed and Stay Empowered
Dear Patient, we would like to provide updates on the PHE in terms of COVID-ERA Telehealth flexibilities around controlled substance prescribing. We will issue out additional information as we receive updates.
PHE updates Extending the COVID-era telehealth flexibilities
On May 2, 2023, after receiving a record 38,000 comments on its proposed telemedicine rules, the Drug Enforcement Administration released a statement from the DEA Administrator Anne Milgram on COVID-19 Telemedicine, “We take those comments seriously and are considering them carefully. We recognize the importance of telemedicine in providing Americans with access to needed medications, and we have decided to extend the current flexibilities while we work to find a way forward to give Americans that access with appropriate safeguards.”
For this reason, last week, DEA, in concert with the Department of Health and Human Services, submitted a Temporary Rule to the Office of Management and Budget entitled “Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications.”
The temporary rule is effective May 11, 2023, through November 11, 2023. It’s currently not clear on how the final rule for telehealth and controlled substance prescribing will look after reviewing the vast and mostly negative responses from the general public.
Updated: 5/09/2023
Sources:
dea.gov/press-releases/2023/05/09/dea-samhsa-extend-covid-19-telemedicine-flexibilities-prescribing
Medication Shortage
The national stimulant medication shortage continues to make it difficult to fill prescriptions in a timely manner. We understand many of our patients are struggling with their care due to the shortage.
We want to assure you we are doing everything we can to help. While some of our patients have had no difficulty or only minor issues with prescription fulfilment, we know others have experienced significant challenges.
We are here to support you through this difficult time and ensure you receive the medication you need to manage your behavioral care.
To help us help you, we ask you to do the following things:
If your pharmacy is out of stock or not able to completely fill your prescription please ask the pharmacist the following questions:
- Do you have an alternative dose in stock?
- Does another location have the medication in stock?
- What alternative medications are available and in stock?
- Notify your provider to request the needed changes. Here are two ways to do that:
Ask the pharmacist to send an electronic message directly back to the provider through the e-prescription service. This will send a message directly to your provider in real-time. If the pharmacy is unwilling or unable to send an e-message, they can call us and select the Medical Professional option in the phone tree. If they leave a voicemail, they must leave your name, date of birth, and the requested change.
If the pharmacy cannot reach out to us, you can call and leave a message on the Pharmacy Transfer Voicemail line. Please leave the patient’s name, date of birth, the requested medications, dose and quantity changes. If you have to change pharmacies, please include the new pharmacy’s name, address, and phone number.
More valuable tips to put you in the driver’s seat of your care:
If you have to change medications due to the shortage, please contact your health insurance by calling the number on the back of your ID card. You can ask the representative to speak to someone about your pharmacy benefits. Let them know you are being affected by the national medication shortage for the medication you are taking.
When speaking to someone at your health care provider, please ask the following questions:
- Are there alternative medication options based on my benefits?
- What are my out-of-pocket costs for those medications?
- Can a care manager help me find my medication at a nearby pharmacy or through mail order?
- Are there patient assistance programs available to help cover the costs of the medications?
- What documentation is needed to switch to a name brand or a more costly medication?
Knowing the answers to these questions, you and your provider can work together to find the best alternative for your current situation and treatment goals. If you haven’t talked with your provider about alternative medications, be sure to ask them about it at your next follow-up visit.
Providers will only order a new medication after meeting and discussing the risks, benefits, and treatment goals first. By being proactive, you and your provider can build your backup plan together.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your medication is not on the list of controlled substances, One Behavioral can continue prescribing it for you without the form from your provider.
Current patients receiving care via telehealth and prescribed a controlled substance will need a qualifying telemedicine referral by a practitioner who has performed an in-person examination. Your Provider can also provide a direct referral to us.
To ensure that we are prepared to continue care in case the rules are not changed or updated, we are asking you to take this step together with us. Your trust in us has been a vital part of growing our business and we’re doing everything we can to ensure we can continue delivering the care you deserve.
We’re here for you
Rest assured that we are working hard to ensure that you will continue to receive care and treatment for your behavioral heatlh.
As more information becomes available, we will continue to update you and keep you informed.
To help us help you, we ask you to do the following things
You can request to update your pharmacy and medication name through the Healow app.
Still have questions?
