Here are five federal healthcare updates affecting the behavioral health sector, as reported by Becker's since April 2:
1. Under new CMS rules, Medicaid beneficiaries must now be able to see a behavioral health or substance use provider within 10 days of requesting an appointment. Going forward, states will be required to conduct secret shopper studies to determine wait times and survey Medicaid members about their wait times each year.
2. The Biden administration released the latest national strategy for suicide prevention along with the first-ever federal action plan to address the U.S.' mental health crisis. The plan identifies 200 ways to address the growing mental health and suicidality crisis among Americans, prioritizing change at the national, state, tribal, local and territorial levels over the next decade.
3. The FDA cleared the first prescription digital therapeutic app for major depressive disorder. The app, called Rejoyn, was developed by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical for patients 22 and older and is meant to be used alongside medication and talk therapy.
4. CMS finalized new rules requiring Medicare Advantage plans to maintain adequate numbers of outpatient behavioral health providers in their networks. Medicare Advantage plans are eligible for 10% bonus payments if their outpatient behavioral health networks include telehealth options.
5. CMS finalized the addition of depression screenings and follow-ups for adolescents and adults, along with adult immunization status, for the 2026 Medicare Advantage star ratings display page based on the 2024 measurement year.