More behavioral health providers will be eligible for Medicare payments in 2024, and many states will increase Medicaid reimbursements for behavioral providers.
Here are five changes coming in the new year to note:
- According to CMS' final payment rules published Nov. 2, the agency will establish Medicare payments for intensive outpatient care for acute mental illness and substance use disorder and outpatient opioid treatment programs in 2024.
- Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors will be able to bill Medicare for their services beginning in 2024. Drug and alcohol counselors who meet the requirements to be mental health counselors will also be able to bill Medicare. The change will make 250,000 additional behavioral health providers available to Medicare beneficiaries.
- CMS will establish payment for crisis psychotherapy services provided outside of an office setting, including at patients' homes or through mobile outreach units.
- The agency will also increase Medicare payments for timed-behavioral health services over a four-year phase in period.
- Most states will increase their Medicaid reimbursement rates for behavioral health in 2024, according to KFF.