Biden Administration to Release Peer Support Certification Standards, Touts School-Based Services Efforts

The Biden administration announced Thursday several additional efforts to address behavioral health industry challenges. Among new efforts, the White House said it would release the “National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification.” Departments within the executive branch also announced steps to make it easier for schools to bill Medicaid for services. “The new standards are […]

DEA Extends Telehealth Flexibilities 6 Months in a Win for Behavioral Health Advocates

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a temporary rule extending COVID-era telehealth flexibilities from the end of the public health emergency (PHE) on May 11 to Nov. 11, 2023. The extension allows clinicians prescribing controlled substances over telehealth to continue to do so for another six months. Patients that initiate care on or before Nov. […]

‘We Recognize the Importance of Telemedicine’: DEA Administrator Shares New Details on Agency’s Final Rule

The Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed that it will extend COVID-era telehealth flexibilities. On Wednesday, the agency said it needs additional time to work through the mountain of comments it received on two rules that would claw back telehealth and controlled substance prescribing flexibilities. “We take those comments seriously and are considering them carefully,” DEA Administrator […]

DEA Delays Ending Controlled-Substances Prescribing Flexibilities, Buys More Time for Virtual MAT Providers

The Drug Enforcement Administration appears to have filed for a temporary extension of telehealth flexibilities beyond the public health emergency. This reflects an apparent reaction on the part of the DEA to the major backlash it faced during the public comment period for two rules it release that would reestablish austere restrictions on accessing treatment […]

CMS Proposes 1.9% Medicare Payment Increase to Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities, Floats Plan to Boost Bed Count

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a 2024 proposed rule for prospective payments and policies for Medicare-reimbursed inpatient psychiatric facilities.  On Tuesday, CMS proposed to increase the pool of total payments doled out for all inpatient psychiatric facilities by a net of 1.9%. The agency also said it will pursue […]

Patrick Kennedy: It’s Time for a New National Behavioral Health Advocacy Movement

Congress created parity provisions for mental health coverage over a decade ago. However, critics say they lacked the necessary teeth to make payers fear the bite violating those laws. The road to true behavioral health parity will take buy-in from various stakeholders, including payers, providers, employers and advocates. In order to make this happen former […]

‘This Is a Life and Death Matter’: DEA Faces Tsunami of Criticism on Proposed Telehealth-Controlled Substances Rules

The two proposed rules from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that effectively undue controlled substances prescribing via telehealth have received over 21,000 submissions so far during its public comment period. And the overwhelming majority of those comments oppose the proposed rules as presented. The DEA released the proposed rules on Feb. 24. The proposed rules […]

Appeals Court Rules Against Plaintiffs in Wit v. United Behavioral Health

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the plaintiffs’ appeal in Wit v. United Behavioral Health. A three-judge panel released the ruling on Jan. 26. While the appeals court remanded the case to the district court, the move is seen as a blow to parity in behavioral health. “This decision is heartbreaking,” Marvin Ventrell, […]

What CMS’ New Marketplace Proposal Means for Behavioral Health Providers, Payers

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is looking to expand access to behavioral health services by making mental health facilities and substance use disorder treatment centers into essential community providers (ECP). The changes, which are part of the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2024 proposal, would mean that health plans […]

New SAMHSA Proposal Relaxes Telehealth Regulations for Methadone, Buprenorphine Treatment

The federal government has proposed a new rule that would allow take-home doses of methadone. It would also let authorized physicians treat patients with buprenorphine and methadone-assisted over telehealth. This comes as the Biden administration continues to prioritize substance use disorder treatment amid the growing rates of drug overdose deaths. The CDC reported a 28% […]