§ 4752. Opioid use disorder treatment system

(a) The Departments of Health and of Vermont Health Access shall establish by rule in accordance with 3 Vt. Stat. Ann. chapter 25 a regional system of opioid use disorder treatment.

(b) The rules may address requirements for pharmacological treatment, including initial assessments, ongoing follow-up, provider education, and diversion prevention.

(c) Controlled substances for treating opioid use disorder shall be dispensed only by:

(1) a treatment program authorized by the Department of Health; or

(2) a health care provider who is not affiliated with an authorized treatment program but who meets federal requirements for use of controlled substances in the pharmacological treatment of opioid use disorder.

(d) Controlled substances for use in treatment of opioid use disorder may be prescribed via telehealth in accordance with federal requirements.

(e) The Department of Vermont Health Access or the Department’s pharmacy benefits manager shall not require a health care provider to document a patient’s adverse reaction to a medication prior to prescribing an alternative medication for opioid use disorder to the patient. (Added 2011, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 14, 2012; amended 2015, No. 173 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2023, No. 22, § 6b, eff. May 25, 2023.)