Government & Regulation

An audit by HHS' Office of Inspector General found Indiana made at least $56 million in improper payments for autism treatment. 

California lawmakers introduced legislation to require social media companies to display warnings about potential mental health risks 

Insurers are failing to comply with parity laws for substance use disorders, the American Medical Association alleged. 

Here are five things to know about the proposed rules for behavioral health services: 

The Department of Justice has reached a settlement with Maine to resolve allegations it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by segregating children with behavioral health conditions in state-run residential facilities. 

 Removing Medicare and Medicaid funding restrictions on inpatient behavioral health treatment and easing telehealth restrictions could make addiction treatment more accessible, according to the American Hospital Association. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration will extend rules allowing providers to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth through the end of 2025. 

Prospective HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been outspoken about providing more resources to substance use treatment, but is critical of medication treatments for mental health conditions. 

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed institutionalizing people with mental illness and increasing federal support for faith-based counseling as part of his mental health policy proposals. 

CMS will implement new behavioral health reimbursement policies in 2025, and the Biden administration has finalized rules toughening mental health parity requirements for insurers.