New DEA fee schedule goes into effect Oct. 1

Washington — The ADA is encouraging dentists with Drug Enforcement Agency prescribing licenses that expire before Oct. 31 to renew them ahead of the agency’s new fee schedule.

The new DEA fee schedule for registration and reregistration for a three-year DEA certification is scheduled to go into effect Oct. 1. Fees for dentists are increasing from $731 to $888.

According to the agency, DEA registrations always expire at the end of a month and re-registrations may only be submitted 60 days prior to expiration. Only dentists with registrations expiring in September or October can re-register using the current fee schedule. Dentists registering for the first time can also take advantage of the lesser fees between now and Sept. 30.

The Association wrote an Aug. 6 letter to Timothy J. Shea, DEA acting administrator, requesting the agency consider delaying the new fee schedule in order to assist dental practices impacted financially by COVID-19.

In that letter, ADA President Chad P. Gehani and Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin explained how dentists closed completely or limited their practices to emergencies only at the onset of the pandemic and said the Association believes a one-year delay would “provide temporary fiscal relief for dentists until stabilization of the current crisis.” The ADA learned Aug. 28 that the DEA has denied that request. In response, the ADA is encouraging dentists with DEA prescribing licenses expiring before Oct. 31 to renew them now and for dentists registering for the first time to do so before Sept. 31.

To register, visit the DEA website.

For more information about the ADA’s advocacy efforts during COVID-19, visit ADA.org/COVID19Advocacy.