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

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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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Judge Rules United Behavioral Health Guidelines Led to Denial of Claims Violations

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A California federal judge has issued a landmark ruling that could impact the way insurance companies cover mental health and substance use treatment. Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero of the District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that United Behavioral Health (UBH) used “flawed†internal guidelines resulting in the unlawful denial of mental…

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