In 2020, the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This emergency allowed for certain, temporary waivers to take effect, including the ability to prescribe controlled medications like Ritalin, Concerta, and Adderall to ADHD patients via telemedicine.
For adults with ADHD who rely on controlled medications to manage their symptoms, this was a welcomed change that allowed for convenient care at home and expanded access to care that was previously unavailable or unattainable to many.
Circle Medical will continue to provide our patients with safe, effective, and evidence-based care via telemedicine. However, as the PHE nears its end, it is important to be aware of some upcoming changes that may affect how medically-necessary controlled substances will be prescribed moving forward.
Prescription medications, including ADHD medications, are only prescribed if deemed appropriate by licensed medical providers following a comprehensive clinical assessment and as part of a detailed care plan.
A controlled substance is a medication or drug whose use, manufacture and possession is regulated by the government due to the possibility of misuse. Many ADHD medications are stimulants and are categorized as controlled substances.
The COVID-19 public health emergency will end on May 11th, 2023.
While the requirement for in-person visits may be an inconvenience for some patients, it is important to remember that these regulations are intended to ensure safe and appropriate use of controlled medications.
Yes. Starting May 11th, established patients with ADHD who are currently being treated through a clinically-appropriate controlled substance (like Adderall, Concerta, or Ritalin), and have only been seen via telemedicine by their provider, will be required to see their provider in person before they can be prescribed controlled medication again. To minimize any disruption in your care, we recommend scheduling an in-person appointment as soon as possible. This will help you avoid any unnecessary delays or difficulties obtaining your medication.
We recognize that these policies are subject to change and we are committed to keeping you informed.
Regulations require that patients be examined in person at least once by their provider to be eligible to continue treatment over video. Please note that everyone’s care is unique and your provider may request to see you in person more frequently if it is deemed medically necessary.
We want to make the process of scheduling an in-person appointment as convenient as possible for you. When your provider begins seeing patients in person, we will send you a message via text and email inviting you to book your appointment. We will also send periodic reminders to ensure that you have ample opportunity to schedule an appointment.
You can also schedule an appointment directly with your provider during a video visit. This will allow you to discuss any concerns or questions you may have before scheduling your in-person visit.
Providers are available for in-person appointments in our locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City, as well as numerous other locations across the country where our services are offered. We are constantly working to expand our in-person locations so that more patients have access to in-person appointments with our providers.
No, these changes only affect those being prescribed a clinically-appropriate controlled medication via telemedicine. In-person appointments and prescriptions for non-controlled medications are not impacted.
The Ryan Haight Act is a federal law that was established in 2008 following the unfortunate death of an 18-year-old who had obtained pain medication from a rogue online pharmacy. The main objective of the act is to prevent unethical and reckless online pharmacies from engaging in similar practices. While well-meaning, the act has not been modernized to account for the advancements made in legitimate and clinically-responsible telemedicine that have emerged during the pandemic.
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Embracing of diverse patient backgrounds
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