HHS on Tuesday issued a proposed rule that would extend a pandemic-era policy that expanded access to opioid treatments, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and New York.

• District of Columbia: HHS on Tuesday issued a proposed rule that would extend a pandemic-era policy that expanded access to opioid treatments. Under the proposed rule, patients with opioid use disorder would be able to use drugs like methadone at home and allow providers to prescribe them during telehealth appointments. Before the pandemic, federal regulations typically required patients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder to receive medication at daily in-person visits, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. HHS' proposed rule would also permanently allow providers licensed to prescribe drugs, including physician assistants and NPs, to distribute the treatments. "Enabling creative, effective strategies, such as telemedicine, is critical to reducing the number of overdose deaths in our country, particularly in underserved areas, and ending the overdose crisis," a group of attorneys general from 44 states and the District of Columbia said in a letter that called for the extension. (Moreno/Reed, Axios, 12/14)

• Maryland: CMS on Monday released a draft regulation detailing plans to decrease the number of non-standard policies available on the health insurance exchanges while increasing the availability of providers in carriers' networks. Under the proposed rule, health insurers would be required to comply with state and federal network adequacy standards. In addition, it would review health insurers' contracts with substance use disorder treatment centers and mental health facilities. The agency would also require insurers to promote their coverage of substance use disorder and mental treatments by placing providers into separate categories and having insurers include at least 35% of the providers in their networks. (Tepper, Modern Healthcare, 12/12)

• New York: Oscar Health on Monday announced that it is pausing individual market insurance sales in Florida—a move that comes just weeks before this year's open enrollment period ends. As of Tuesday, new customers in Florida are no longer able to sign up for the insurer's health insurance exchange plans. However, current members will be able to renew their coverage anytime during the annual sign-up period. "This temporary pause in Florida is the result of proactive steps Oscar took in light of other market exits to ensure that our projected membership does not exceed the company's targets for 2023 and allows us to maintain our strong financial position," an Oscar Health spokesperson said. (Tepper, Modern Healthcare, 12/12)