Influence of State Telehealth Regulations on Treatment for Substance Use Disorders During the COVID-19 Crisis
By
Matthew D. Eisenberg
Kayla N. Tormohlen
Alexander D. McCourt
Jiani Yu
Raghavee Neupane
Yimin Ge
Elizabeth A. Stuart
Michael Fingerhood
Nicholas J. Seewald
Emma Elizabeth McGinty
April 17, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Influence of State Telehealth Regulations on Treatment for Substance Use Disorders During the COVID-19 Crisis
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Key Mechanisms Telemedicine coverage parity, payment parity, and in-person relationship waivers. Target Population Adults aged 18 and older with Substance Use Disorders. Care Setting Telehealth and in-person treatment settings.
Key Highlights
17% of adults in the U.S. are affected by SUD, yet only 1 in 4 receive treatment. Telemedicine for SUD treatment expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies implemented included coverage parity, payment parity, and relationship waivers. Telemedicine for SUD treatment is as effective as in-person care. Barriers to telehealth include clinician supply, privacy concerns, and technology access. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess SUD diagnosis including opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Management
Implement telemedicine policies to facilitate SUD treatment initiation and continuity. Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor treatment retention and clinical outcomes for telemedicine-delivered SUD care. Risks
Consider risks of relapse and overdose due to healthcare disruptions and social isolation. Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults aged 18 and older enrolled in fully insured commercial plans.
Telemedicine policies may increase treatment initiation and mitigate care disruptions.
Clinical Best Practices
Utilize telemedicine for SUD treatment where appropriate. Ensure coverage and payment parity for telehealth services. Address barriers to telehealth access among patients with SUD. References
