New Bill Looks to Expand Access to Mental Health Services for Seniors

A bipartisan group of U.S. House representatives have introduced a new bill aimed at increasing access to mental health services for seniors Dubbed the Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2022, the legislation seeks to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to psychologists and can receive mental health services regardless of their care setting. Currently […]

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% […]

CMS to Mandate Marketplace Plans Cover Mental Health Facilities, SUD Treatment Centers

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a new proposal that would require health plans offered through the federal and state-based marketplaces to cover mental health facilities and substance use disorder treatment centers.  The new proposal, announced Monday, would make these two types of facilities essential community providers (ECPs). It would […]

MAT Regulatory Flexibilities Led to More X-Waivers, Not More Patients in Treatment

The relaxation of federal medication-assisted treatment (MAT) regulations did not immediately result in more patients accessing care. However, the numbers of patients accessing naltrexone prescriptions and physicians cleared to prescribe buprenorphine have increased, according to an update and study released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In April 2021, HHS removed […]

Senate Committee Releases Bipartisan Behavioral Health Parity Proposal

Key U.S. senators put forward a tentative plan aimed at bolstering behavioral health parity in Medicare and Medicaid. On Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee released a discussion draft bill on behavioral health parity in Medicare and Medicaid, a fifth in a series of similar proposed reforms. Leading into 2022, the finance committee formed five bipartisan […]

‘There’s at Least One More Legislative Train’ for Behavioral Health Reform to Ride Before 2023

Behavioral health reform efforts have a chance of passing during Congress’ lame-duck session. The final days of the legislative session include several must-move bills, according to experts with the law firm Polsinelli. Combined with a bipartisan interest in behavioral health reform, the environment on the Hill could be favorable to seeing key provisions clearing Congress.  […]

HHS Proposes New Protections for Substance Use Disorder Patients to Improve Care Coordination

The Biden administration has unveiled a new proposed rule that would make it easier to coordinate the care of those with a substance use disorder.  On Monday, the civil rights office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Department, along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), posted a […]

45 State AGs Demand SAMHSA Action on Virtual Addiction Treatment

Forty-five state attorneys general have signed a letter asking the federal government to preserve COVID-era regulations for virtual addiction treatment. The letter, which was organized by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), was sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The letter specifically calls on […]

Looming Regulatory Changes Could Remake MAT Access

The federal government is signaling big moves around deregulating medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Key federal stakeholders have indicated reforms are a top priority going forward. Already, the House of Representatives passed the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, potentially clearing the way for easier prescribing of methadone and buprenorphine. If realized, the changes to […]