In this deep-dive episode, we unpack DEA Telehealth Prescribing in 2026: What PMHNPs Must Know. Audio Overview Listen to an in-depth podcast of this post Two hosts break down the full article — no reading required. Your browser does not support audio playback. The clock is ticking on one of the most consequential regulatory deadlines in psychiatric telehealth. On December 31, 2026, the DEA’s fourth temporary extension of pandemic-era telehealth prescribing flexibilities is set to expire — and permanent rules remain unfinished. For PMHNPs who prescribe Schedule II–V controlled substances via telehealth, the next eight months demand strategic preparation. Roughly 137 million Americans live in designated mental health professional shortage areas. Telehealth has been the bridge connecting those patients to psychiatric care. But the regulatory scaffoldi ...