Florida Law Expands Use of Peer Specialists to Address Behavioral Health Shortage

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill into law that changes how Florida deals with the care of mental illness and substance abuse disorders.  The legislation notes that it is in response to the growing number of opioid addictions, as well as a shortage of behavioral health professionals and paraprofessionals. SB 282, which becomes…

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CMS Proposes Permanently Covering Audio-Only Telehealth for Mental Health Services

A person holding money in front of a laptop.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its proposed 2022 Physician Fee Schedule, which includes payment rates for Medicare next year, as well as several other policy proposals that might impact physicians. Among them, CMS wants to make permanent Medicare coverage of audio-only mental health services via telehealth. Many patients until now…

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