The TREATS Act modifies federal drug law to expand telehealth options for treating substance use disorders. Specifically, it allows doctors to prescribe certain controlled medications for addiction treatment (such as medications to treat opioid addiction) after conducting a telehealth evaluation instead of always requiring an in-person visit first. The bill applies to prescription drugs in schedules III through V that the Food and Drug Administration has approved for substance use disorder treatment, and permits telehealth visits conducted through audio-only or audio-and-video technology. This change primarily affects addiction medicine providers, people struggling with substance use disorders seeking treatment, and rural or underserved patients who may have difficulty accessing in-person medical appointments. The legislation does not specify new funding or implementation timelines, instead amending existing law to modernize treatment access rules.
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