The following provides available information about changes in policy and insurance/coverage related to provision of mental health services by telehealth during the pandemic.
Clinicians, consumers and interested others are encouraged to provide information to
FORM TO REPORT TELEMENTAL HEALTH POLICY
so these may be added here as they are reported.
FEDERAL
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid waived “key requirements under telehealth so that Medicare beneficiaries can receive services in their homes with fewer restrictions.”
https://www.apaservices.org/practice/legal/technology/covid-19-telehealth-waiver
https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/medicare-telehealth-temporary-changes
List of services payable under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule when furnished via telehealth:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/Telehealth/Telehealth-Codes
Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet:
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet
Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) March 17, 2020:
https://edit.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-telehealth-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-31720.pdf
MEDICAID
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/downloads/medicaid-telehealth-services.pdf
HIPAA-related
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/february-2020-hipaa-and-novel-coronavirus.pdf
HHS.gov “Enforcement discretion”:
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html
BY STATE/LOCAL JURISDICTION/INSURANCE COMPANY
California
“As of March 17, 2020 Anthem will waive, until further notice, any member cost share for telehealth or telephonic visits provided by in-network provider, including visits for mental health, for our fully insured employer, individual, Medicare and Medicaid plans. Cost shares will be waived for members using Anthem’s telemedicine service, LiveHealth Online, as well as care received from other telehealth providers. Self-insured plan sponsors will have the choice to participate.”
Illinois
BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois:
https://www.bcbsil.com/provider/education/2020/2020_03_16.html