HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has announced a groundbreaking move to expand access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment across the Commonwealth by issuing its first telehealth-only license to a treatment provider.
Gateway Rehabilitation Center (GRC), a long-established SUD provider in Pennsylvania, received the state’s first telehealth exception to operate its “Hope from Home” program. This initiative offers a fully virtual treatment platform that includes counseling, psychiatric services, medication-assisted recovery, preventive care, and referrals to higher levels of care.
DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones described the licensing as a major advance toward closing gaps in treatment access, particularly in rural and underserved communities. “Telehealth and mobile treatment options have been proven to reduce barriers like transportation, stigma, and provider shortages,” she said, emphasizing that this approach supports health equity and meets Pennsylvanians “where they are.”
Previously, only facilities with a physical location in Pennsylvania could be licensed to provide telehealth services. The new framework enables providers to deliver care exclusively through telehealth, with strict requirements to maintain electronic health records, personnel files, and grant DDAP remote access for audits.
GRC expects to double its current 2,000 monthly telehealth interactions within a year, broadening its reach to individuals who might otherwise struggle to obtain care.
This step is part of a broader effort by the Shapiro Administration to expand SUD services. Recent initiatives include licensing Pennsylvania’s first mobile opioid treatment program, supporting workforce development partnerships with universities, and providing nearly $20 million in student loan repayment assistance to SUD professionals.
Currently, Pennsylvania has nearly 800 licensed SUD treatment facilities and about 400 recovery houses statewide. Residents seeking help can call the PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP or use the online Treatment Atlas tool to locate confidential, personalized treatment options.
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