TeleBehavioral Health 301, a free twelve-part series hosted by the Harborview Behavioral Health Institute, aims to enhance quality of care for individuals who live with mental health and substance use issues.
TeleMental Health and Professional Liability
CMHPL Director Dr. Jennifer Piel’s TeleBehavioral Health 301 session, TeleMental Health and Professional Liability, explores common legal aspects of telehealth for mental health providers. Topics covered include licensure requirements, malpractice, and controlled substances as we transition from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Updates from Dr. Piel (February 2023)
End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
President Biden recently announced plans to end the federal COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023. Absent additional rulemaking, this means that some currently waived federal requirements are anticipated to return to pre-COVID requirements.
These include:
- In-person visit before prescribing a controlled substance unless there is a qualifying exception under the Ryan Haight Act or other federal law
- Federal DEA registration in the state where the patient is located and prescriber location, if different
- HIPAA-compliant platforms required for telemedicine
DEA’s Proposed Rules on Telehealth Controlled Substances
On February 24, 2023, the DEA announced new proposed rules for telehealth. There is a 30-day comment period. For details of the proposed rules, see:
- Telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances when the practitioner and the patient have not a prior in-person medical evaluation
- Expansion of induction of buprenorphine vis telemedicine encounter
Accreditation
Enroll to receive a Certificate of Completion or Continuing Medical Education credits for courses in the TeleBehavioral Health series.