Federal lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to permanently remove requirements for Medicare beneficiaries receiving mental healthcare to visit their provider in-person every six months.
Reps. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., and Troy Balderson, R-Ohio, and Sens. Tina Smith, D.-Minn., and Bill Cassidy, MD, R-La., reintroduced the “Telemental Health Care Access Act” June 10, according to a news release from Ms. Matsui’s office.
Here are five things to know:
- Flexibilities for removing in-person provider visitation requirements for Medicare reimbursement for behavioral healthcare were introduced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Congress has extended the policy several times, but has not made it permanent. In March, lawmakers extended the flexibility through the end of September 2025.
- Lawmakers have previously introduced the Telemental Health Care Access Act twice, in 2023 and 2024, but it was not taken up by committees.
- The measure is supported by multiple behavioral health provider organizations and mental health advocacy groups, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and Mental Health America.
- The measure is also backed by several digital mental health companies, including Teladoc Health, Talkspace and Hims & Hers.
