Telehealth: LeadingAge, Hospice Groups Urge DEA Action on COVID Era Prescribing Flexibilities

LeadingAge, in coalition with the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the National Alliance for Care at Home, and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), in an October 17, 2025 letter to Terrance Cole, the new Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), urge action on several fronts regarding telehealth prescribing flexibilities.

First, the groups request that the DEA extend the current COVID era telemedicine prescribing flexibilities should they should lapse before finalization of the Special Registrations for Telemedicine and Limited State Telemedicine Registrations proposed rule or before the effective date of such finalized rule.

Second, they ask that the DEA carefully consider the comments received on the proposed rule as work on a final rule is completed, especially regarding exemptions for hospice and palliative care providers.

Finally, they advocate that the DEA consider issuing an interim final rule with a comment period to ensure continuity of care while the final rule is completed as the recent government shutdown may delay the rulemaking process.