Healthcare IT News June 16, 2021
Kat Jercich

The bipartisan bill would eliminate a mandate for Medicare patients to be seen in person before receiving virtual behavioral care.

A bipartisan group of senators this week introduced the Telemental Healthcare Access Act of 2021, geared toward reducing hurdles to providing virtual behavioral health services.

The bill, introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Ben Cardin, D-Md., and John Thune, R-S.D., would remove the statutory requirement that Medicare beneficiaries be seen in person within six months of receiving mental health services through telehealth.

“Over the pandemic, we’ve seen an increased need for telehealth services, whether it’s for substance use disorders, physical ailments or mental health issues,” said Cassidy in a statement.

“Medicare patients deserve direct access to...

Today's Sponsors

LEK
ZeOmega

Today's Sponsor

LEK

 
Topics: Congress / White House, Digital Health, Govt Agencies, Health IT, Mental Health, Patient / Consumer, Provider, Regulations, Technology, Telehealth
Finger on the Pulse: The State of Primary Care in the U.S. and Nine Other Countries
Fort Health Brings Collaborative Virtual Pediatric Mental Health Care to 450+ Primary Care Providers
Cleveland Clinic's program that saves $8K per patient
Models adjusting for geography show racial gaps in telehealth use
4 in 10 adults opt for telehealth, older adults less likely to use video visits, study finds

Share This Article