Plain Language Summary
# TREATS Act Summary **What it does:** The TREATS Act would make permanent a temporary federal rule that allows doctors and healthcare providers to prescribe certain controlled medications for treating addiction via telehealth (video calls, phone visits) without seeing patients in person. Currently, this flexibility is set to expire on December 31, 2025. The bill would allow this remote prescribing for Schedule III-V controlled substances—medications commonly used to treat opioid and alcohol addiction—without requiring an initial in-person appointment. **Who it affects:** This primarily impacts patients with substance use disorders seeking addiction treatment, especially those in rural areas or with limited access to in-person medical care.
It also affects healthcare providers, telemedicine platforms, and addiction treatment facilities. The rule applies to doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other licensed practitioners. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House. It was sponsored by Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and falls under healthcare and drug policy subjects.
CRS Official Summary
Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services Act or the TREATS ActThis bill permanently allows health care practitioners to prescribe certain controlled substances for treating substance use disorders via telehealth without evaluating the patient in person. Generally, a health care practitioner may not prescribe a controlled substance via telehealth unless they first conduct an in-person medical evaluation. Federal regulations currently provide a temporary exception to this requirement, allowing practitioners to prescribe schedule II-V controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes (such as treating substance use disorders) via telehealth without an in-person evaluation. However, this temporary regulatory flexibility expires on December 31, 2025.The bill permanently allows practitioners to prescribe schedule III-V controlled substances for the treatment of a substance use disorder via telehealth without conducting an in-person evaluation. In such instances, a practitioner may conduct a telehealth evaluation using audio-only or audio and video equipment.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.