CMS Proposes Adding Payment for Telehealth Services by Mental Health Professionals

The federal government is proposing to permanently allow payment under the Medicare program for “audio-only” telehealth mental health services. These services have been temporarily reimbursed as part of the government’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The government also would retain other temporarily reimbursed telehealth services through 2023 in order to evaluate whet her those services should be permanently added to the list of covered Medicare services.The recommended changes are part of theproposed 2022 Physician Fee Schedule by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). A final rule will be issued later this year; look for further reporting inPsychiatric News.The proposed telehealth recommendations are a victory for psychiatrists and their patients for which APA has strongly advocated.“Audio-only services have been a lifeline for patients for whom it is the only option when seeking mental health and substance use disorder treatment,” wrote APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., in aletter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Patients who cannot interact with their physician via a live, synchronous audio-video connection may need to rely on audio-only care for myriad reasons: they may lack access to sufficient broadband internet or access to the technology itself (e.g., they may not own a smartphone, tablet, or PC); t heir diagnosis may preclude using such technology; or they may not consent to being seen ...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: 2022 Physician Fee Schedule APA audio only Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS COVID-19 physician payment formula Saul Levin telehealth Source Type: research