The first segment of A Health Conversation is on the Ryan Haight Act and the impact of lifting the public health emergency (PHE) almost had on telemedicine. The policy allowing prescription of controlled substances without a face-to-face meeting was going to the expire 12/31/24 which would have profoundly bad effects on access. We have lost about 60 percent of the actively practicing psychiatrists over the last 10 years in Maine owing to demographics. Some only see patients via telemedicine and have relinquished their offices. Obviously, this would be a problem if in person assessment is needed for prescribing meds.
Fortunately, DEA extended this until 12/31/25 so we have a year and a month to get educated about and hopefully work with other stakeholders to memorialize (appropriate) use of telemedicine. Please listen…