By Varun Choudhary, MD, MA, DFAPA
Chief Medical Officer
Talkspace
Glen Allen, VA
Abby Worthen
Deputy Directory Digital Health
APA
Washington, DC
Becky Yowell
Director, Reimbursement Policy and Quality
APA
Washington, DC
This post-pandemic telepsychiatry update provided an overview of telepsychiatry use, policy, and next steps since the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ended on May 11, 2023.
Dr. Choudhary shared key insights about the trends surrounding telemental health, including that behavioral health accounts for the largest amount of telehealth visits across visit types and that utilization of telehealth for behavioral health services is 45 times greater than it was before the PHE. Presenters then shared relevant policy updates, including the extension of PHE-related flexibilities around telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances and several Medicare telehealth policies through December 31, 2024, and some policies that have been made permanent in Medicare. The presentation then covered specifics of allowable modalities, coverage and reimbursement, and documentation rules for billing for telemental health services. Finally, presenters discussed recent successes in advocating for telehealth policy.
APA members with questions about telemedicine or other areas of their practice may contact [email protected]
