HHS outlines plan to ‘curb psychiatric overprescribing’: 5 things to know

HHS outlined an action plan May 4 to “curb psychiatric overprescribing” when clinically indicated, especially for children. 

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., detailed the initiative at a MAHA Institute summit, focusing on evaluating prescription patterns, assessing benefits and harms, and increasing use of nonmedication treatments, according to a May 4 news release from HHS. 

Here are five things to know:

1. HHS agencies will support efforts through grant-supported child-specific training for frontline prescribers, expanded access to specialist consultation and same-day consults, and CMS actions to broaden coverage for evidence-based nonmedication care and reduce reliance on psychiatric medications.
2. The agency issued a Dear Colleague letter encouraging providers to prioritize informed consent, shared decision-making and regular review of psychiatric medications. The letter also highlights nonmedication approaches, such as family support, psychotherapy, nutrition and physical activity, and their applicable CPT billing codes. 
3. CMS released guidance clarifying how physicians can be reimbursed for deprescribing-related care under Medicare and pointing to established deprescribing resources, including professional society guidelines, peer-reviewed deprescribing protocols and FDA taper schedules, according to the release. 
4. HHS said additional efforts will include reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on prescribing trends as well as education webinars and expanded access to evidence-based nonmedication care. The National Institutes of Health and FDA will also expedite research on new mental health treatments. 
5. In July, HHS will bring together a technical expert panel to gather input from health professionals, patients and families, government agencies and professional societies, informing clinical guidance on appropriate use of psychiatric medications, tapering and discontinuation. 

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