Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025
The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 would allow certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals to deliver, distribute, or dispense controlled substances to veterans via telemedicine without an in-person medical examination, so long as specific conditions are met. The bill requires VA to implement regulations to govern how telemedicine delivery of controlled medications must be carried out, and it emphasizes that existing obligations under the Controlled Substances Act remain in effect. It defines who counts as a “covered health care professional” (VA employees meeting certain qualifications, including licensure and supervision requirements) and who may be treated (veterans eligible for VA medical treatment). The overarching goal is to expand access to needed medications for veterans, particularly when in-person visits are difficult, while maintaining professional and statutory safeguards.
Key Points
- 1Adds new provision Sec. 1730D to 38 U.S.C. authorizing VA health care professionals to deliver, distribute, or dispense controlled substances to eligible veterans via telemedicine, even without an in-person exam, if certain conditions are satisfied.
- 2Conditions include: the provider is licensed to prescribe the basic class of the substance in an active, current, full, and unrestricted state license; the provider is acting in the usual course of practice; and the substance is delivered for a legitimate medical purpose.
- 3Regulations: the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must establish guidelines and a process for telemedicine delivery of controlled substances under this authority.
- 4Safeguards: nothing here changes or preempts obligations under the Controlled Substances Act; the delivery must comply with applicable federal drug-control laws.
- 5Definitions: clarifies that “covered health care professional” means VA employees (not contractors) who are authorized by the Secretary to provide care, meet quality standards, hold appropriate licensure/credentials, and, for certain professions, meet Secretary-set qualifications; it also covers health professions trainees who are supervised.