Yes, in many cases you can start Suboxone through telehealth. At Porch Light Health, our telehealth addiction treatment services connect you with a medical provider by secure video, and your care team can pair those visits with in-person clinic appointments whenever your treatment plan calls for them.
We offer telehealth for Suboxone across Colorado and New Mexico, along with in-person clinics and mobile medical units. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and many commercial insurance plans.
Federal rules in 2026 let clinicians prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone) by telehealth without a prior in-person visit when required safety steps are met. Your clinician will help you decide whether a home start, a clinic start, or a mix of both is safest for you.
Getting started follows a clear path, and you won’t have to figure it out alone.
You and your provider will also decide whether each future appointment is virtual or in person, and how often you’ll meet. Your plan can change as your needs change.
Suboxone is a prescription medication that combines buprenorphine and naloxone. It’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine partially activates the brain’s opioid receptors, which eases withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings while you focus on recovery.
It’s one of several medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), an approach also called medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Medication works best alongside counseling and regular check-ins, which is why our Suboxone therapy program combines prescribing with behavioral support and ongoing monitoring.
Telehealth removes some of the biggest barriers to starting care. Common obstacles that can delay treatment include:
A video visit from home can make the first step feel far more manageable.
Federal health officials agree.
When the rule making telemedicine prescribing of buprenorphine permanent was finalized, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) described it as a way to expand access by easing geographic and in-person barriers to care.
Two federal policies shape telehealth Suboxone access right now. Buprenorphine is a controlled medication, so the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sets the baseline rules for prescribing it remotely. State licensing rules and your insurance plan then add their own layer.
The DEA’s buprenorphine rule, published in the Federal Register, took effect December 31, 2025. It lets clinicians prescribe up to a six-month supply of buprenorphine through video or audio-only visits, without a prior in-person exam.
Before prescribing, clinicians must check your state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), a database of controlled-medication prescriptions. After the initial six months, continued telemedicine prescribing generally requires an in-person exam or another option allowed under federal law.
Separately, the DEA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services extended broader telemedicine flexibilities for controlled medications through December 31, 2026. Under those flexibilities, clinicians can prescribe without a prior in-person visit while permanent rules are finalized.
Because these federal rules keep changing, your clinician will explain which requirements apply to your care and whether anything shifts after 2026.
Federal rules are only half the picture, though. Our guide on how to qualify for Suboxone explains the clinical side, including how providers confirm a diagnosis of opioid use disorder and decide whether buprenorphine is a good fit.
| Policy | What It Means for You | What to Do |
| DEA buprenorphine rule (effective Dec. 31, 2025) | Up to a six-month supply by video or audio-only visit, after a PDMP check | Expect questions about your prescription history and a plan for in-person care later |
| DEA and HHS flexibilities (through Dec. 31, 2026) | Broader telemedicine prescribing without a prior in-person visit | Ask your clinician how your plan may change after 2026 |
| State licensure | Clinicians generally must be licensed in the state where you’re located during the visit | Tell us if you live, move, or travel outside Colorado or New Mexico |
| Insurance coverage | Plans differ on video visits, phone visits, and pharmacy coverage | Confirm your benefits with our team before your first visit |
Coverage depends on your specific plan, so the best step is to check before your first visit. Porch Light Health accepts Medicaid and Medicare, and we work with commercial insurers including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente.
Plans can differ on whether they pay for video visits, phone visits, and pharmacy fills.
Some also require prior authorization for buprenorphine. Our guide to whether insurance covers Suboxone walks through the questions worth asking your insurer.
If you’re uninsured or worried about cost, ask about our sliding-fee program, which adjusts what you pay based on your situation. Coverage and costs vary by person, and our team will walk you through your options.
Most people fall into one of three groups. Find the one that sounds most like you, then read that section first.
| Your Situation | Likely Path | What You’ll Be Asked to Do |
| Stable adult in Colorado or New Mexico | Telehealth start is often possible | Complete intake, a video assessment, and an induction plan |
| Transferring from another prescriber | Telehealth continuation is often possible | Share prescription history and your current prescriber’s contact details |
| Pregnant, or heavy sedative or alcohol use | In-person visit may come first | Complete in-clinic labs or an exam, plus coordinated specialist care |
| Living outside Colorado or New Mexico | Depends on clinician licensure | Confirm where you’re located and which state’s rules apply |
| Signs of a medical emergency | Emergency care, not telehealth | Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department |
A telehealth start often works well for adults who are medically stable, can follow dosing instructions, and have a safe, private place to begin. Many people in this group can complete their assessment, induction plan, and early follow-up visits by video, then keep most ongoing care virtual once their dose is stable.
Sometimes your clinician will want to see you in person before, or soon after, you start. Common reasons include:
If you’re pregnant, continuing or starting medication for OUD is often recommended because untreated opioid use carries serious risks for both parent and baby. Our treatment during pregnancy program coordinates buprenorphine care with your prenatal providers.
Some medications work better in person from the start. Methadone, for example, is dispensed through licensed opioid treatment programs (OTPs), which means regular clinic visits.
Your clinician can help you compare options if Suboxone isn’t the best fit.
Telehealth isn’t safe for a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away if you or someone with you has any of these signs:
If you suspect an opioid overdose, give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it and call 911. Once you’re medically stable, our team can help you connect with ongoing MAT.
Induction is the first phase of Suboxone treatment, when you take your first doses and your clinician finds the right dose for you. It can happen at home with telehealth guidance, or with a clinician observing your first dose.
Timing your first dose correctly helps prevent precipitated withdrawal, a sudden, intense worsening of withdrawal symptoms that can happen if buprenorphine is taken too soon after other opioids. Your clinician may use a COWS assessment for opioid withdrawal to decide when you’re ready.
The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) scores signs like sweating, pulse, tremor, and stomach upset. Much of it can be completed by video.
For breathing problems, unresponsiveness, or chest pain, call 911. For other concerns, contact your clinician right away.
Your early follow-up visits focus on:
Visits are usually more frequent at first, then spaced out as you stabilize.
Along the way, you’ll provide urine samples at one of our clinic locations. Testing helps your provider keep your treatment safe and effective, and how often you’re tested depends on your plan.
Medication is only one part of recovery. Our behavioral health counseling services can be combined with your medication visits, giving you support for stress, relationships, and the life you’re building beyond addiction.
Once you’re stable, many maintenance visits can stay virtual, with occasional in-person visits for testing or exams. If you plan to travel or move, tell your provider early. Refill timing, pharmacy options, and licensure rules can change when you cross a state line, and advance notice helps keep your treatment uninterrupted.
Every person’s path looks a little different. The scenarios below are illustrative examples of how telehealth and in-person care can work together, not descriptions of real patients or promises about any individual’s care.
If travel is hard for you, tell us when you call.
A little preparation goes a long way.
Be as open as you can. Your clinician isn’t there to judge you, and honest answers help keep you safe. Share any use of benzodiazepines, alcohol, kratom, or other substances, along with pregnancy, chronic pain, heart or liver problems, recent overdoses, or hospital visits.
When you call your insurer, ask whether they cover buprenorphine, whether prior authorization is required, which pharmacies are in network, and what your expected copay is. Ask for a reference number and write it down.
Call your provider right away and explain what happened, since they can help you plan next steps. Our guide on how to get emergency Suboxone explains more options. Avoid unverified sources, and don’t return to other opioids without medical advice.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to reach out. Call Porch Light Health at 866-839-8868 or contact our team online, and we’ll help you find the right starting point, whether that’s telehealth, a nearby clinic, or both.
Can buprenorphine be prescribed by telemedicine without an in-person visit?
Yes, in many cases. Federal rules currently allow clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine by telemedicine without a prior in-person exam, as long as they follow required safeguards like checking your state’s PDMP. Your clinician will explain whether an in-person visit is needed for you.
Can I get Suboxone by phone instead of video?
Sometimes. The DEA’s buprenorphine rule allows audio-only visits when clinically appropriate, though Porch Light Health telehealth visits typically happen by video through doxy.me.
Do I need in-person visits to keep taking Suboxone?
Not for every visit. Once you’re stable, many maintenance visits can happen by telehealth. You’ll still provide urine samples at one of our clinic locations, and your provider may schedule occasional in-person exams based on your plan and federal rules.
Is Suboxone safe during pregnancy?
Buprenorphine is often recommended during pregnancy because untreated opioid use disorder carries serious risks. Your care should be coordinated between your addiction medicine and prenatal providers. Our article on whether Suboxone is safe during pregnancy covers the details.
Does Medicaid cover telehealth Suboxone visits?
Many state Medicaid programs cover telehealth visits for opioid use disorder treatment, though rules vary by state and plan. Porch Light Health accepts Medicaid. Bring your Medicaid ID to intake so we can check your coverage, and ask about pharmacy options if your plan limits where you can fill buprenorphine prescriptions.
Can a COWS assessment be done remotely?
Often, yes. Clinicians can complete much of the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale by video, asking about symptoms and observing signs like sweating and restlessness. Very high scores or unclear results may lead your clinician to recommend an in-person exam.
How quickly can I start Suboxone through telehealth?
Timing depends on provider availability, your insurance, and your clinical needs. When you request a consultation, our team will contact you to schedule your first appointment, and you can ask about the earliest available time.
What if I live outside Colorado or New Mexico?
Clinicians generally need to be licensed in the state where you’re located during your visit, so call us before scheduling.
Recovery is possible, and you’re not alone in figuring out where to begin. Whether you’re ready to start Suboxone by telehealth or have questions for a loved one, call Porch Light Health at 866-839-8868 or reach out to us online. You can also use our clinic finder to see in-person options near you.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific situation. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). If you think someone is overdosing, call 911.
