OIG Audit Reveals Gaps in Opioid Medication Access

A federal audit released last week found that, despite changes in the law, Medicare and Medicaid enrollees may not have access to medications for opioid use disorder (OUD). In assessing why swaths of the country have spotty or nonexistent access to the federally approved medications methadone and buprenorphine, the U.S. Department of Health and Human […]

HHS’ Becerra: We Can’t Allow Behavioral Health Telehealth Flexibilities to Expire

The Biden administration sees continued behavioral health-telehealth flexibilities as vital to improving access to services. Testifying on Biden’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Xavier Becerra touted the federal government’s approach to telehealth and behavioral health during the coronavirus pandemic response as a win. “We can’t allow those flexibilities […]

The Biden Administration’s FY2024 Budget Dedicates $656M to ‘Transforming Behavioral Health’

The White House appears to be doubling down on its behavioral health efforts in its new 2024 budget proposal. The proposed budget aims to grow the behavioral health workforce, increase access to services – including crisis care – and advance mental health research. “In response to the current behavioral health crisis and in support of […]

HHS to Test New Payment Models, Strengthen Mental Health Workforce as It Strives for Behavioral Health Parity

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is looking to bolster the behavioral health workforce and test out new payment models in effort to improve mental health parity and access. It’s part of HHS’ recently released roadmap, which gives guidelines about integrating mental health and substance use care into whole-person care. The roadmap […]