MedPAC Likely To Recommend Removal Of In-Person Behavioral Health Requirement

Congress’ Medicare pay advisors seem likely to recommend lawmakers remove the six month in-person requirement for Medicare’s behavioral health services due to commissioners’ hesitancy to uphold barriers to care amidst a shortage of mental health providers. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission members said requirements for telehealth behavioral health services should be considered independently from regulating other types of telehealth services. Commissioners are also considering whether payment parity between in-person and behavioral telehealth services is appropriate or if it would create additional...