Georgia physicians once again have the ability to prescribe controlled substances to telehealth patients without an in-person visit.
In December 2023, the Georgia Composite Medical Board voted to return to pre-pandemic standards for telehealth, which were to take effect Jan. 1. However, after physician outcry, the board voted again Jan. 4 to overturn their decision, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Jan. 4.
The board hoped to reinstate the in-person appointment standard for prescribing schedule ll-V medications, including painkillers and some ADHD medication. This would have come as a blow to rural patients who, amid a rural physician shortage would have had to travel long distances to seek treatment for certain conditions.
"I don’t think it's too much to ask for the high quality of practice we expect in Georgia to have that one in-person examination before prescribing opioids," said board member Jeffrey Marshall, MD, at the Jan. 4 meeting.
Becker's reached out to the Georgia Medical Board for comment and will update the story once more information is obtained.