A recent Health Affairs report, “Trends In The Availability Of Buprenorphine At US Retail Pharmacies, 2017–23,” cited data to highlight the need for expanded access to medication for opioid use disorder in pharmacies, particularly in high minority … [Read more...] about Report Highlights Limited Access to Opioid Treatment
Mental Health
Issue Brief on Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Duals Released
The Legal Action Center recently released an issue brief, “Two Plans Are Not Always Better Than One: Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Dual-Eligible Individuals,” that identifies the unique barriers to substance use disorder treatment … [Read more...] about Issue Brief on Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Duals Released
New Substance Use Disorder Coverage in Medicare in 2024
Guest article by Deb Steinberg, Senior Health Policy Attorney, Legal Action CenterOn 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
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 TreatmentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:July 27, 2022Washington, 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 addition to societal stigma, people with mental health needs often face barriers to adequate medical coverage and treatment for their conditions. While many individuals and their families face these issues in the private market, people with … [Read more...] about Medicare and Mental Health