OIG Highlights New Concerns

This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) fulfilled its annual statutory obligation by releasing its 2024 Top Management and Performance Challenges Report (the “Report”). Historically, the Report has not attracted widespread interest in the provider community because it largely focuses on HHS operational challenges. Importantly for providers and other stakeholders, however, the Report reveals crucial insights about compliance priorities for the year ahead.

DEA Extends Telemedicine Prescription Rules Through 2025

DEA Extends Telemedicine Prescription Rules Through 2025

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have jointly issued a third emergency extension allowing health care practitioners to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances via audio-video telemedicine encounters without an initial in-person evaluation. This extension, effective from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, also provides the DEA with additional time to finalize permanent regulations for prescribing controlled substances through telemedicine.