EMERGENCY NOTICE
DR ROBERT BEN MITCHELL, DO, LLC
786-262-5750
MY TELEMEDICINE PRACTICE WILL PERMANENTLY CLOSE 12/31/25. THIS PAGE HAS INFORMATION TO HELP CURRENT PATIENTS TRANSFER OR WEAN BEFORE 2026.
I AM NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. IF I HAVE NOT SEEN YOU AT LEAST ONCE BY TELEMEDICINE IN 2024, THEN I AM UNABLE TO HELP YOU.
DOWNLOADS
The most current versions from the updates below:
11/28/24:
Telemed_Withdrawal_Medications_Ver1_112824.pdf
11/27/24:
Telemed_Transfer_Protocol_Ver1_112724.pdf
11/26/24:
Telemed_Wean_Schedule_Ver3_112624.pdf
UPDATES
most recent 11/28/24
original post 11/10/24
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UPDATE
11/28/24
Click on this link if you are having withdrawal symptoms during your wean:
Telemed_Withdrawal_Medications_Ver1_112824.pdf
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UPDATE
11/27/24
Click on this link if you are going to continue treatment and transfer to another doctor:
Telemed_Transfer_Protocol_Ver1_112724.pdf
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UPDATE
11/26/24
I updated the instructions at the top of pages 2 and 3. Click on the link below to download the corrrected version 3 of the wean schedule:
Telemed_Wean_Schedule_Ver3_112624.pdf
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UPDATE
11/24/24
I found some errors in the original wean schedule that I uploaded yesterday. Click on the link below to download the corrrected version 2 of the wean schedule:
Telemed_Wean_Schedule_Ver2_112424.pdf
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UPDATE
11/23/24
Click on the link below to download the latest wean schedule:
Telemed_Wean_Schedule_112324.pdf
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UPDATE
11/19/24
The DEA has posted on their website that they will extend opioid addiction treatment by telemedicine through the end of 2025. However, they are signaling that starting in 2026 they will most likely restrict telemedicine access to buprenorphine (Suboxone / Subutex).
Rather than posting another emergency notice at the end of next year, I have decided to notify you now that I am going to permanently close my practice at the end of 2025 so that we can use the coming year to help you either transfer to another doctor before 2026, or wean off the medication before 2026.
It is your choice which path you choose - transfer or wean - and we have all of next year to prepare for whatever you decide to do. For now, enjoy your holidays and start thinking about which direction you want to go.
I will post further instructions, including weaning schedules, in the coming weeks.
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UPDATE
11/16/24
Though NOT official yet, several online articles ( see links below) state that the DEA and Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule yesterday that extends opioid addiction treatment by telemedicine through 12/31/25. Only when this new rule is publicly published will it be official, so I am monitoring for this publication.
For now NOTHING has changed, and we will continue with the plan of action outlined in the original emergency notification posted 11/10/24 (see below).
In the meantime, even if this rule is made official by publication, it is only a ONE YEAR EXTENSION which could be altered (cancelled, reduced, increased) at any time by the incoming administration. So, I urge you to constantly consider your need for this medication each time you take a dose. No matter what happens, it will be in your best interest to find ways to either REDUCE your dosage or, if possible, STOP taking the medication. I know this is not possible for everyone to do, but for those who can, please do (see DOSING AND WEANING).
One-Year Extension Articles:
https://www.statnews.com/2024/11/15/telehealth-prescriptions-adderall-buprenorphine-prescriptions
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ORIGINAL POST
11/10/24
THE PROBLEM: If Congress and the DEA do NOT take action before the end of this year, then starting January 1st of 2025, it will be ILLEGAL for me to prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone and Subutex) by telemedicine.
THE BEST CASE SCENARIO: If Congress and the DEA do take action before the end of this year, then we can continue your telemedicne treatment as usual without interruption.
THE WORST CASE SCENARIO: If Congress and the DEA do NOT take action before the end of this year, then starting January 1st, before your prescription runs out, you will have to find a new doctor who has a physical office they can see you in, if you want to continue your treatment.
WHY DIDN’T I TELL YOU SOONER: I have been monitoring this situation for the past two years, hoping that someone in Congress or the DEA would grow a brain so I would never have to tell you this. Unfortunately, this late in the year, with so few days left when both chambers of Congress are in session, and given the election and upcoming holidays, with no relevant bills pending, it is unlikely they will do anything before the end of this year. And so far, the DEA has only proposed more restrictions than currently exist, all of which exclude my ability to continue practicing telemedicine next year. So, now is the time to prepare you for 2025.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO: If Congress and the DEA do NOT take action before the end of this month, then STARTING IN DECEMBER I’m going to do the following:
1. I will continue my REGULAR OFFICE HOURS throughout December, including Tuesday, December 31st. My regular office hours are:
Tuesday 8:00 AM to Noon
Thursday 8:00 AM to Noon
Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
2. All office visits in December will be FREE. Please save the money you would have paid me to use in case you have to start seeing an office-based doctor next year. If something changes in December and I can continue seeing you by telemedicine in 2025, then you will NOT have to repay this money to me.
3. At your last visit in December, I’m going to place EXTRA REFILLS on your final prescription to give you more time in case you have to find a new doctor in 2025. There will be NO additional office charge for these refills.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO: Check back here regularly to see if there are any updates and continue to see me as usual through the end of this year. If Congress and the DEA do act before 2025, then we’ll continue on as usual. Otherwise, in January, start looking for an office-based doctor to continue your treatment before your prescription runs out.
HOW WILL YOU FIND A NEW DOCTOR: If you have to find a new doctor in 2025, try the following:
1. Google “Suboxone doctor near me” (without the quotes) to see who has an office near you.
2. Ask your pharmacist. They fill the buprenorphine prescriptions, so they might know who has an office in your area.
3. Call 211, your county’s health and legal information line, to see if they can help you find an office-based Suboxone doctor.
WHAT PHARMACY SHOULD YOU USE: If Congress and the DEA do NOT take action before the end of this year, then starting in 2025, some pharmacies might cancel any remainder of telemedicine prescriptions written in 2024 without the doctors’ or patients’ permission. This could include your prescription, and I will NOT be able to replace what they cancel. These two pharmacies have said they WILL dispense the remainder of your 2024 telemedicine prescriptions in 2025:
Prescription Drug Foundation
1777 NE 163rd St
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
305-947-0433
Medical III Pharmacy
4100 South Hospital Drive
Suite 101
Plantation, FL 33317
954-583-4100
WHAT IF YOU WANT TO STOP THE MEDICATION: If you are ready to stop using the medication, then go to my website TRAFN.COM and download DOSING AND WEANING from the IMPORTANT DOWNLOADS section.
IS THIS PRACTICE CLOSING: No. If Congress and the DEA do NOT take action before the end of this year, then starting in 2025 I will put my practice on PAUSE. This means:
1. I will NOT be able to write or transfer any prescriptions.
2. I will NOT be able to replace any lost or cancelled prescriptions.
3. I will NOT have any office hours.
4. I WILL answer/return your phone calls and texts.
5. If Congress and the DEA do act in 2025, then I’ll reopen my practice and you can return to see me if you want to.
REMEMBER: Check back here regularly for updates. You can use these links for the latest online news, but be sure you are reading the MOST RECENT articles:
https://www.google.com/search?q=”dea+telemedicine”
https://www.google.com/search?q=”telehealth+cliff”