According to the DEA, what requirement can be waived for registered practitioners during COVID-19?

The correct answer highlights that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the DEA allowed for the waiver of the requirement for an in-person medical evaluation for registered practitioners. This change was significant as it facilitated improved access to care, allowing providers to conduct evaluations remotely without the patient needing to be physically present.

This adjustment recognized the urgency and necessity of maintaining continuity of care, particularly when face-to-face appointments posed risks for patients and practitioners alike. Telehealth emerged as a vital tool in managing patient health while adhering to public health guidelines.

The other options would not accurately reflect the specific regulatory adjustments made by the DEA during this time. For instance, telehealth processes and audio-only communications were encouraged but did not do away with in-person evaluations entirely except under certain circumstances. Prescription expiration dates generally remained consistent, as did the protocols for follow-up appointments, which continued to require assessment of patient circumstances, albeit through telehealth whenever possible.