The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on May 13 rescinded several informal guidance documents, effective immediately, including Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder. The practice guidelines, originally published in 2021, provided exemptions for eligible providers administering buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder from certain certification requirements related to training, counseling, and other ancillary services, such as psychosocial services. In addition to these guidelines, the HHS rescinded three other guidance documents, including:
- Extension of Designation of Scarce Materials or Threatened Materials Subject to COVID-19 Hoarding Prevention Measures; Extension of Effective Date with Modifications (2021).
- Opioid Drugs in Maintenance and Detoxification Treatment of Opiate Addiction; Repeal of Current Regulations and Issuance of New Regulations: Delay of Effective Date and Resultants Amendments to the Final Rule (2001).
- Notification of Interpretation and Enforcement of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (2021).