CMS Coverage for PHP Telehealth Services Set to End After May 11
As the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) draws to a close at the end of Thursday, May 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has shared with NABH and other stakeholders the agency’s plans to end telehealth coverage for partial hospitalization program (PHP) services implemented during the PHE.
In addition, CMS has explained that telehealth coverage will continue through December 2024 for Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) services that qualify under the outpatient prospective payment system as “remote mental health services.”
NABH continues to communicate with key Members of Congress to clarify the legislative intent behind the telehealth coverage extensions that were authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 last December. The NABH team understands that some Members of Congress intended for the telehealth coverage extension to include PHP services.
Given the persistent confusion on these matters, NABH has urged CMS to issue clarification in writing. NABH will keep members apprised of our efforts to extend telehealth coverage for PHP services.
DEA Extends COVID-19 Telehealth Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications for Now
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Wednesday said it will extend its COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities for prescription of controlled medications as the agency works to determine how to move forward in a way that gives Americans access to needed medicine with the appropriate safeguards.
An announcement from DEA noted the agency received a record number of comments on its proposed telemedicine rules, which prompted DEA and HHS to submit a draft temporary rule to the Office of Management and Budget requesting an extension. NABH submitted comments on this matter (see CEO Update, April 28, 2023).
“Further details about the rule will become public after its full publication in the Federal Register,” the announcement said.
NABH Education & Research Foundation Webpage Now Features Grants & Funding Opportunities
The NABH Research and Education Foundation has updated its webpage with a section devoted to potential funding resources and opportunities for behavioral healthcare organizations and their employees.
To access the Foundation’s webpage, visit NABH’s homepage and locate the “NABH Foundation” tab in the navigation menu. From there, hover over the tab to find a drop-down menu with the following sections: About, Grants & Funding Opportunities, Resources, and Contribute.
We urge you to visit the page and search for potential funding opportunities, which NABH also includes in CEO Update, the association’s weekly e-newsletter.
Please contact foundation@nabh.org if you have a grant or other funding opportunity to share. Thank you!
