February Monthly Policy Update

In recent weeks, we have witnessed the culmination of long-fought advocacy efforts on behalf of the recovery community. While we didn’t get everything on our wish list, there is some progress to be lauded – and some much-needed closure.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Faces & Voices vocalized a need for protective measures to safeguard uninterrupted recovery services. Quarantine posed a huge threat to methadone access (which depends on a daily, in-person excursion to an OTP). As a stopgap remedy, a temporary rule was enacted allowing take-home doses of methadone for up to 14 days. OTPs were also allowed to operate mobile methadone clinics to ensure doses were given timely, but still within pandemic protocol parameters.

Data reflected that those patients stayed on their medication, proving that the temporary measures worked. Also of note: diversion of methadone among those in recovery was minimal. By any objective measure, these tactics were successful.

As a result, these once-temporary pandemic-era rules have now become mainstays. The ability of OTPs to prescribe medication for OUD via telehealth, without an initial in-person physical evaluation, is permanent. (The evaluation must be in audio + video format; it cannot be audio only.)

These are the first changes to 42 CFR 8 in over two decades. It significantly bolstered our advocacy efforts in passing the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA), which was summarized in last month’s update. Dr. Delphin-Rittmon, a SAMHSA administrator, hails the rule change as “an historic modification.” The rule becomes effective on April 2, 2024, and compliance is required by October 2, 2024.

After a years-long push for modification of confidentiality requirements pertaining to SUD patient records, changes to 42 CFR 2 have been made in a final rule.

Use and disclosure of Part 2 records can now be based on a single-patient consent, given once, for all future uses and disclosures for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. The rule permits re-disclosure of Part 2 records by HIPAA-covered entities and business associates in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. It also provides new rights for patients under Part 2 to obtain an accounting of disclosures and to request restrictions on certain disclosures (also granted by the HIPAA Privacy Rule).

Perhaps most importantly, the new rule expands prohibitions on the use and disclosure of Part 2 records in civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. HHS will have enforcement authority, including the potential imposition of civil money penalties for violations of Part 2.