<div>
  <p>
  </p>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has sent a rule titled &quot;Third Temporary Extension of Covid-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications&quot; to the White House's Office of Management and Budget for review.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        If approved, this extension would allow healthcare providers to continue prescribing specific controlled substances via telehealth without requiring an in-person visit. The extension could last a year, potentially delaying a decision on permanent rules until the next administration.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The DEA previously extended these flexibilities in May and October 2023, with the current extension set to expire at the end of 2024. The potential third extension comes amid ongoing discussions and concerns about the future of telehealth prescribing rules.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake: </b>
        Previously, in 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/33244">
          September 2024
        </a>
        , the DEA was reported to be finalizing proposed rules for prescribing controlled substances via telehealth, which was reportedly more restrictive than advocates hoped. In response, telehealth advocacy groups began gathering signatures for letters to Congress and the White House, as they were uncertain whether the DEA could finalize these rules before flexibilities expired. Given that the DEA is considering extended flexibilities yet again, it seems that the regulatory body is still far from a finalized ruling.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/dea-sends-3rd-temporary-extension-telemedicine-prescribing-rules-white-house">
      Fierce Healthcare
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/telehealth/dea-moves-to-extend-telehealth-prescribing-flexibilities-7-notes.html">
      Beckers Hospital Review
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Mental Health Tech

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
<p>The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has forwarded a proposal, "Third Temporary Extension of Covid-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications", for assessment to the White House's Office of Management and Budget. The purpose of this extension, if approved, is to enable healthcare providers to continually prescribe certain controlled substances through telehealth without necessitating a physical visit. This extension could possibly be effective for one year, potentially deferring the finalization of permanent rules to the succeeding administration.</p>
<p>This flexibility was previously extended by the DEA in May and October of 2023, with the current extension slated to terminate at the end of 2024. This potential third extension is under debate alongside concerns regarding the future rules of prescribing via telehealth.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Previously, in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33244"> September 2024 </a> , the DEA was reported to be finalizing proposed rules for prescribing controlled substances via telehealth, which was reportedly more restrictive than advocates hoped. In response, telehealth advocacy groups began gathering signatures for letters to Congress and the White House, as they were uncertain whether the DEA could finalize these rules before flexibilities expired. Given that the DEA is considering extended flexibilities yet again, it seems that the regulatory body is still far from a finalized ruling.</p>

DEA considers third extension of telehealth prescribing rules

<div>
 
 <p>The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is finalizing a proposed rule for prescribing controlled substances through telehealth, which seems to be more restrictive than advocates anticipated. The draft rule under White House review, aims to restrict telehealth prescribing of certain controlled substances, necessitating in-person visits for certain medications.</p>
 <p>According to recent reports, the proposed rule would ban the prescription of Schedule II substances such as Adderall through telehealth without an initial in-person visit. When it comes to Schedule III-V substances, only half of the prescription could be done online, with the rest necessitating in-person appointments.</p>
 <p>Reacting to this, telehealth advocacy groups are seeking a two-year extension of the current flexibilities. They are collecting signatures for letters to Congress and the White House, arguing that the DEA needs more time to finalize the rule before the current waivers expire at the end of 2024.</p>
 <p>Some lawmakers like Senator Mark Warner, have expressed criticism over the reported restrictions, urging the DEA to relax some of these proposed limitations on telemedicine prescribing.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake</b> :<br>
 In <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/18359"> May 2023 </a> , the DEA temporarily extended the emergency flexibilities granted to telehealth companies during the Covid-19 pandemic for six months, only to withdraw the proposed limitations at the end of the extension period after receiving an unprecedented 38,000 public comments. The rules still do not appear to meet the industry's needs, and after a year, finding common ground is still a long way off.</p>

DEA to plan strict limits on telehealth prescribing of controlled substances

<div>
 
 <p>Teen mental health platform, BeMe Health, has secured USD 12.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round. This funding round was led by Hesperia Capital and saw contributions from Flare Capital, Polaris Partners, Fiore Ventures, BCBS of Kansas, and the California Healthcare Foundation. This has raised BeMe's total funding to USD 27.2 million.</p>
 
 <p>This funding will be invested in advancing BeMe's technology, expanding its market presence, and fostering continuous innovation in youth behavioral health care.</p>
 
 <p>BeMe Health provides teenagers with round-the-clock access to age-appropriate support content, interactive mental wellness tools, one-on-one coaching, carefully tailored interventions, and crisis support. BeMe collaborates with health plans, employers, and community organizations to adopt a digital-first strategy to interventional teen mental health.</p>
 
</div>

BeMe Health raises USD 12.5 million in pre-Series A funding to improve technology

<div>
 
 <p>Big Health has gained US FDA approval for SleepioRx, an insomnia and sleep improvement digital therapy. The pricing details are not yet available. </p>
 <p>The SleepioRx app, to be used over a 90-day period, is designed to manage sleep disorders. It allows patients to track their progress and offers a bespoke experience according to their symptoms and daily sleep habits. The app also provides real-time support content to assist with sleep induction. </p>
 
</div>

Big Health receives FDA clearance for SleepioRx digital therapeutic

<div>
 
 <p>Spring Health has successfully raised USD 100 million in a Series E funding round, which has resulted in the company being valued at USD 3.3 billion. The primary contributors in this funding round were Generation Investment Management, along with the current investors such as Kinnevik, William K Warren Foundation, RRE, and Northzone.</p>
 <p>The funds acquired are projected to be utilized to further the company's growth ambitions and to improve global access to mental healthcare services.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> In September 2023, health economics experts of the Validation Institute (an independent third-party validation organization) <a href="https:<br>
//www.springhealth.com/news/validation-institute-certifies-spring-health-delivers-net-savings-for-customers"> certified </a> that Spring Health customers reduced total health plan spending by USD 2,430 per participant within the first six months of engagement. With this validation, the company became the first and only mental health solution to earn nationwide third-party accreditation for quality care and crisis programs. The certification and the new funding provide a strong platform for the company to expand globally.</p>

Spring Health raises USD 100 million in Series E funding to support growth plans

<div>
 
 <p>Headway has secured a USD 100 million venture funding round led by Spark Capital. At the time, the company was valued at USD 2.3 billion. Details on the use of proceeds were not disclosed.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> In <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/22468"> October 2023 </a> ,&nbsp; Headway raised USD 125 million in Series C funding, valuing the company at USD 1 billion. The round was also led by Spark Capital. Headway expected to use the funding to expand its network and increase marketing efforts to help providers acquire more patients.</p>

Headway raises USD 100 million in venture funding, valuing it at USD 2.3 billion

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 
 <p>CuraLinc Healthcare has introduced Mindstream, a digital resource for employees focused on improving mental health. Included in the existing CuraLinc platform, it is available to customers at no extra charge.</p>
 <p>Mindstream offers a range of live and pre-recorded audio and video sessions targeting different life challenges. Sessions are led by subject matter experts and can be sorted by topic, language, approach, facilitator, and duration. It can be integrated with workplace applications like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and is part of CuraLinc's employee assistance programs. New sessions are regularly added to maintain user engagement.</p>
 <p>CuraLinc Healthcare provides employee assistance programs and behavioral health services. With a focus on improving employee well-being and productivity, the company offers a variety of services including counseling, support for work-life balance, and custom wellness programs addressing mental health, substance abuse, and various life challenges.</p>
 
</div>

CuraLinc Healthcare launches Mindstream for mental health support

<div>
 <p>Talkiatry, a telepsychiatry firm, secured $130 million in a Series C funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, with contributions from Perceptive Advisors and debt financing from Banc of California. The company's total funding now stands at $245 million. </p>
 <p>The raised capital will be used to broaden Talkiatry's value-based care approach. This model seeks to improve healthcare results, decrease the total cost of care, and provide savings for patients, healthcare systems, and affiliate health plans. </p>
 <p>As of June 2024, Talkiatry employs over 300 psychiatrists across 43 states. They treat conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. Additionally, the company has joined forces with over 60 health plans, involving top insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna. </p>
</div>

Talkiatry raises USD 130 million in Series C funding to expand behavioral health access

<div>
 
 <p>Peer recovery platform Marigold Health has secured USD 11 million in a Series A financing round. Rock Health and Innospark Ventures co-led the round, and other investors also contributed. This raise brings Marigold Health's total funding to USD 21.6 million.</p>
 <p>Marigold intends to use the capital to broaden its reach nationally, with a focus on expanding more engaging substance use disorder (SUD) support programs. The company has plans to extend its operations to a minimum of four more states by the end of the upcoming year. Further, the funding will be used to augment its peer workforce and enhance its proprietary natural language processing (NLP) capabilities.</p>
 <p>The company's platform, as of June 2024, is available to 25,000 members in Delaware, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Marigold also specified that it will prioritize partnerships with Medicaid and dual health plans catering to complex or vulnerable populations.&nbsp;</p>
 
</div>

Marigold Health raises USD 11 million in Series A funding

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>Roy Schoenberg, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Amwell, has revealed his decision to leave his current positions and assume the role of executive vice chairman on Amwell's board of directors. The other Co-CEO and Co-founder, Ido Schoenberg, will succeed as the single CEO.</p>
 <p>The cause for this shift, according to Schoenberg, is to undertake new roles which allow him to assist the company from a different perspective. Meanwhile, Ido Schoenberg is anticipated to carry on their objective of offering accessible and supreme digital care in his position as the sole CEO.</p>
</div>

All Updates

DEA considers third extension of telehealth prescribing rules

DEA to plan strict limits on telehealth prescribing of controlled substances

BeMe Health raises USD 12.5 million in pre-Series A funding to improve technology

Big Health receives FDA clearance for SleepioRx digital therapeutic

Spring Health raises USD 100 million in Series E funding to support growth plans

Headway raises USD 100 million in venture funding, valuing it at USD 2.3 billion

CuraLinc Healthcare launches Mindstream for mental health support

Talkiatry raises USD 130 million in Series C funding to expand behavioral health access

Marigold Health raises USD 11 million in Series A funding

Roy Schoenberg transitions from co-CEO to executive vice chairman of board of Amwell

Mental Health Tech

DEA considers third extension of telehealth prescribing rules

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