Tele-Mental Health Bill Could Lead To Permanent Telehealth Legislation

Telehealth stakeholders say the Senate Finance Committee’s discussion draft of tele-mental health policies, unveiled Thursday (May 26), could signal lawmakers are ready to consider broader legislation to cement COVID-19 pandemic telehealth flexibilities before the end of the 151-day extension of waivers in the omnibus funding package. The draft would eliminate the in-person requirement for behavioral health services under Medicare, support use of audio-only care when clinically appropriate and mandate studies on telehealth usage. A 151-day blanket extension of COVID-19 pandemic...