Medicare Bill Adds Community Mental Health Centers as Medicare Telehealth Sites

OPEN MINDS On-Line News Strategic Health Care News The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, House Resolution, (H.R. 6331), which became law on July 15, 2008, adds community mental health centers (CMHCs) to the list of approved Medicare telehealth originating sites. The CMHC provision had been a key advocacy area targeted by National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare as a way to expand access to mental health care for Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas. The bill had been opposed by President George W. Bush due to provisions related to physician reimbursements. President Bush vetoed . . .