Members of Congress have filed a bill proposing to amend the Social Security Act to increase access to mental health services. The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act is designed to make mHealth and telehealth technology a more prominent part of Medicaid-based programs. By including patients' homes among locations allowed to be reimbursed for telemental health services and eliminating originating site facility fees, it could make it simpler to gain treatment for a range of mental health conditions. In addition to providing better care at home, this legislation would also help patients who are unable or unwilling to seek out professional help.
Members of Congress have filed a bill proposing to amend the Social Security Act to increase access to mental health services. The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act is designed to make mHealth and telehealth technology a more prominent part of Medicaid-based programs. By including patients' homes among locations allowed to be reimbursed for telemental health services and eliminating originating site facility fees, it could make it simpler to gain treatment for a range of mental health conditions. Coverage for such programs is currently mostly limited to healthcare locations in specific rural areas, or parts of the country with provider shortages.