Guest article by Deb Steinberg, Senior Health Policy Attorney, Legal Action Center On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Outpatient Prospective Payment System … [Read more...] about New Substance Use Disorder Coverage in Medicare in 2024
Mental Health
New Studies on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Access Highlight the Need for Parity in Medicare
As our country continues to face a mental health crisis and overdose epidemic, increasing access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment must be a significant priority for policymakers, patients, providers, and advocates. These … [Read more...] about New Studies on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Access Highlight the Need for Parity in Medicare
Equity Impacts of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Cost-Sharing
A new study published in Health Affairs shows that cost-sharing parity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (MHSUD) was associated with an increased receipt of outpatient MHSUD treatment among white beneficiaries but increased less among … [Read more...] about Equity Impacts of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Cost-Sharing
Medicare Provisions in Year-End Spending Bill
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2023 (H.R. 2617, now Public Law 117-328), which funds federal government operations for the 2023 fiscal year, was signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022. The CAA contains a number of … [Read more...] about Medicare Provisions in Year-End Spending Bill
Release of Parity Principles to Optimize Medicare Coverage of Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Care
Congress Urged to Act to Ensure Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries Can Access Life-saving Treatment FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:July 27, 2022 Washington, DC: The Legal Action Center, Center for Medicare Advocacy, and Medicare Rights Center today … [Read more...] about Release of Parity Principles to Optimize Medicare Coverage of Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Care
Reminder from CMS – May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services (CMS) wants to remind people with Medicare that the program covers mental health services to support them during these stressful times including: … [Read more...] about Reminder from CMS – May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Medicare Can Help People In Rural Areas Access Mental Health Care
Medicare pays for a limited number of Part B services furnished by a physician or practitioner to an eligible beneficiary via a telecommunications system. For eligible telehealth services, the use of a telecommunications system substitutes for an … [Read more...] about Medicare Can Help People In Rural Areas Access Mental Health Care
Medicare and Mental Health
In the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut policymakers, the media, and advocates across the country have turned their attention to the state of mental health care in the United States. In addition to societal stigma, people with mental … [Read more...] about Medicare and Mental Health