(Jan. 20, 2025) – DEA Extends Telemedicine Prescribing Flexibilities through 2026
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have extended telemedicine prescribing flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances through Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026.
The extension allows DEA-registered practitioners to continue prescribing Schedule II through V controlled substances via audio-video telemedicine and Schedule III through V narcotic-controlled medications to treat opioid use disorder via audio-only encounters, without first conducting an in-person medical evaluation, according to a DEA news release.
The extension is intended to prevent in-person care backlogs, ensure continuity of care — particularly for rural and underserved patients — and allow "time to finalize and implement regulations that balance access to care with the necessary safeguards against drug diversion," the agencies said.
On Jan. 17, 2025, the DEA and HHS published two final rules — "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter" and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients" — which took effect Dec. 31, 2025. These rules, along with this fourth temporary extension, established three distinct frameworks for telemedicine prescribing.
Learn more about this extension in the Federal Register.
UHC Releases Accelerated Medicare Advantage Payments to Support Rural Hospitals
UnitedHealthcare announced its Rural Payment Acceleration Pilot program intended to support independent rural hospitals who face financial challenges. The pilot program, which includes Missouri, will accelerate Medicare Advantage payment timelines by 50 percent from less than 30 days to less than 15. Kansas is not included in the pilot program.
HRSA Publishes Mental Health Provider Gap Quarterly Report
The Health Resources and Services Administration's Bureau of Health Workforce published its latest quarterly report of designated Health Professional Shortage Area statistics on Jan. 14, reflecting data as of Dec. 31, 2025.
HRSA calculates "percent of need met" by comparing the primary care and mental health providers available in a designated area, population group or facility with the number of providers needed to bring the population-to-provider ratio below the HPSA threshold.
Kansas data show 15.18 percent of needs are currently met, with an additional 114 practitioners needed to eliminate these shortages.
Find your county's ranking on the HPSA Work Shortage page, filter by state and select Mental Health HPSA Discipline.