CMS Proposes Additional Medicare Telehealth Reimbursement For Behavioral Health
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to start reimbursing for behavioral health services provided via telehealth technology under Medicare as of January 1, 2013. The telehealth coverage would include preventive mental health services, assessments, counseling, and addiction assessment and intervention services. The limitations of the coverage would include geographic restrictions, originating site, and eligible professionals to do billing. Â CMS anticipates that adding the new telehealth service codes will increase access to care in rural areas based on recent utilization of similar services already on the telehealth list. The proposal would extend reimbursement for the following services . . .
