According to HHS, in the 12-month period ending Jan. 2023, close to 110,000 persons died from overdoses. HHS issued final rules on Feb. 2, 2024 that make some of the most significant updates in close to 20 years to the standards for the operation of opioid use disorder treatment programs and the use of medications to treat opioid use disorder. Overall, the rules make treatment for opioid use disorder more accessible while also supporting evidence-based and patient-centered care. The rules are effective April 2, 2024, but the compliance date is October 2, 2024.
The new rules: Broadens the class of health care professionals who can provide medication for treatment of opioid use disorder; eliminate some registration requirements that had been imposed on providers; allow the use of telehealth for medical screenings and examinations prior to initiating treatment in some instances; and give opioid use disorder treatment programs greater flexibility to provide take-home doses of medications to patients.