The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released proposed rules governing telehealth-based prescribing that extend some telehealth flexibilities but reinstate previous rules related to the virtual prescription of some controlled substances following the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, various policy changes led to a higher level of leniency in the
A new study shows that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 16- to 20- fold increase in telehealth use for treating mental health conditions, counteracting the drop in in-person care volumes. January 10, 2023 – A study published in JAMA Network Open found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant increase in using telehealth to treat mental
Educators say there are likely multiple reasons for the rising interest in psychiatry over a decade. But the pandemic and heightened attention to social determinants of health have dramatically raised the profile of mental health more recently. A total of 1,640 U.S. senior medical school graduates—1,253 from allopathic and 387 from osteopathic schools—matched into psychiatry
Several prominent organizations, like HCA Healthcare and Walmart, have joined the group as founding council members to advocate for permanent access to telehealth. As policymakers consider the numerous telehealth bills placed before them, a new advocacy organization has entered the scene: ATA Action. Launched by the American Telemedicine Association, the new trade organization will focus on ensuring individuals
The bills expand telehealth access, ban denial of insurance coverage, and ensure payment parity between telehealth and in-person care in the two states. December 23, 2021 – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy have signed into law bills that will expand access to telehealth in their respective states. DeWine signed the Telemedicine Expansion Act,
The proposal includes expanding Medicare coverage for telehealth services that address mental health and substance abuse issues and extending most COVID-19 freedoms until the end of 2023, as well as some coverage for FQHCs and RHCs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed 2022 Physician Fee Schedule offers some good news for telehealth advocates. The 1747-page
Psychiatrists foresee a new hybrid practice blending phone, video, and in-person visits driven by patient need and preference rather than payment policy. “In the spring of 2020, COVID-19 devastated New York City, where I live and work,” recalled APA President-elect Vivian Pender, M.D., in an interview. “The sound of sirens was continuous day and night.
The CONNECT for Health Act is back before Congress for a 4th time, and backers say the massive telehealth bill could cross the finish line this time on broad bipartisan support and pressure to set long-term connected health policy. Will the fourth time be the charm for the CONNECT for Health Act? The massive telehealth
When meeting patients online, mental-health practitioners must confront a host of issues. During the present COVID-19 pandemic, mental-health practitioners of all disciplines are becoming accustomed to a variety of telemedicine-enabled modalities for treatment and evaluation. A growing variety of telemedicine platforms are now in use. This development has produced an explosion of articles and other documents
Several bills on Capitol Hill aim to expand telehealth coverage for mental health and substance abuse services delivered via telehealth, including efforts to reduce barriers to prescribing scheduled drugs. March 15, 2021 – Congress will be taking a serious look at expanding telehealth coverage for mental health and substance abuse services this year. Last week Senators Tina
