Researchers Called for New Buprenorphine Treatment Guidelines
Experts seek updated clinical standards for telehealth opioid use disorder treatment during and after pregnancy.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Medical researchers have called for new clinical guidelines regarding the use of telehealth buprenorphine for pregnant and postpartum patients. The appeal follows findings that fewer than half of pregnant women with opioid use disorder receive necessary medication-assisted treatment.
Why it matters
Untreated opioid use disorder during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of preterm labor, fetal death, and neonatal withdrawal. Establishing formal clinical standards for remote care could help clinicians overcome barriers like transportation issues, childcare challenges, and regional provider shortages.
Medicaid funds approximately 75% of births for women with opioid use disorder, while 49 states and Washington, DC, have now expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months. Standardized telehealth protocols remain absent despite these insurance expansions.
The players
JAMA Internal Medicine
This is a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association that focuses on internal medicine research.
The details
Telehealth prescribing allows clinicians to provide buprenorphine remotely without an initial in-person evaluation, with audio-only options helping patients without reliable internet access. Policy fragmentation across state lines regarding reimbursement and clinician eligibility continues to complicate the delivery of care.
Timeline
March 2020: Emergency telehealth flexibilities for buprenorphine were first authorized.
December 2025: The federal government adopted a permanent audio-only telehealth buprenorphine policy.
March 2026: 49 states and Washington, DC, expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months.
September 21, 2026: A viewpoint article regarding these treatment gaps was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Health Landscape
This call for updated clinical standards seeks to formalize the care delivery gains made under the post-2020 emergency telehealth flexibilities. By establishing dedicated guidelines for pregnancy, the medical community aims to transition from crisis-era access to a sustainable model for specialized perinatal support.
Patients may gain access to more consistent treatment options as healthcare providers adopt specialized guidelines for remote buprenorphine initiation. These improvements aim to reduce the logistical hurdles of attending in-person visits during and after pregnancy.
The takeaway
Developing dedicated telehealth guidelines is a critical step in addressing the systemic barriers that keep many expectant mothers from accessing essential care. Ensuring consistent, remote medication support can directly mitigate life-threatening health risks for both mother and child.
Further reading
For more on the national response to addiction, visit the Substance Abuse section.
More information
View the KFF report on perinatal Medicaid treatment for additional context on treatment patterns.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Psychiatrictimes.
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