Elimination of DATA-Waiver (X‑Waiver) for Buprenorphine Prescribing
Governs federal DEA prescribing requirements for buprenorphine for opioid use disorder: DATA‑Waiver registration is no longer required and standard DEA registration suffices; states laws may still apply. Affects DEA registrants who prescribe buprenorphine.
A DATA‑Waiver registration is no longer required to treat patients with buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
All prescriptions for buprenorphine only require a standard DEA registration number; prior DATA‑Waiver numbers are no longer needed.
There are no longer any limits or patient caps on the number of patients a prescriber may treat for opioid use disorder with buprenorphine.
New training requirements for all prescribers were introduced by the Act and will take effect June 21, 2023.
The Act's changes do not alter existing state laws or regulations which may remain applicable.
Coverage Criteria
The federal changes enacted by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 do not supersede or repeal applicable state laws or regulations. Providers must continue to comply with any state-level requirements, restrictions, or licensing rules that remain in effect even though the federal DATA‑Waiver has been eliminated.
Provider Actions & Requirements
Prior waiver / prior authorization changes
Prior waiver (DATA‑Waiver) is no longer required for prescribing buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Prescribers do not need a separate DATA‑Waiver registration or X‑Waiver number. All prescriptions for buprenorphine now require only the prescriber's standard DEA registration number. Note: state laws or regulations may still impose additional requirements.
- DATA‑Waiver registration eliminated — no separate X‑Waiver number required
- Use standard DEA registration number on buprenorphine prescriptions
- State laws/regulations still apply where relevant
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