Telemedicine for ADHD Includes Easier Medication Refills

Q: “I live full time in my RV and travel the country.  My residency is in Vermont, but I’m presently residing in Arizona and it seems I need to become a resident of Arizona to get a prescription — at least at some clinics. Given that my ADHD medication is a controlled substance, I can’t get a script from my PCP back in Vermont because it requires a face-to-face appointment. Do you have any advice for long-term travelers or college students with ADHD who need to get their prescriptions while away from home?” — Michael

Dear Michael,

The short answer is that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) rules changed permanently in March 2020 and, so long as the initial evaluation was done face-to-face, your original prescriber can continue to prescribe for you based on contacts by phone, Internet, and video conferences such as Zoom. This is a permanent rule change, and…