Lawmakers have reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at significantly expanding Medicare telehealth behavioral health access for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries. The Telemental Health Care Access Act seeks to remove the in-person exam requirement that currently restricts many Medicare patients from receiving mental health services via telehealth.
This legislation addresses one of the biggest barriers to Medicare telehealth behavioral health access by eliminating outdated rules that limit how and when patients can begin receiving virtual mental health care.
What the Telemental Health Care Access Act Proposes
The bill would undo a provision enacted in 2020 that requires Medicare beneficiaries to have had an in-person visit within six months before starting telehealth mental health treatment. By removing this requirement, the bill would expand Medicare telehealth behavioral health access to many people who otherwise struggle to get to in-person appointments due to distance, mobility, or other challenges.
Importantly, this change would bring mental health services in Medicare closer to parity with addiction treatment, which already allows telehealth without such in-person mandates.
Why Removing the In-Person Exam Requirement Matters
The in-person exam rule has long been a hurdle limiting Medicare telehealth behavioral health access. It affects rural patients, homebound seniors, and those with transportation difficulties. The rule is based on older laws like the Ryan Haight Act, which require in-person visits for prescribing controlled substances but are increasingly seen as out of step with current telehealth capabilities.
By removing this mandate, the bill would make it easier for providers to deliver timely, high-quality behavioral health care remotely, increasing Medicare behavioral health access for millions.
Telehealth Growth During the Pandemic Highlights Need for Reform
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a dramatic surge in telehealth usage across all populations, especially among Medicare beneficiaries. According to federal reports, telehealth visits for Medicare patients increased 62 times in 2020 compared to 2019, and remained 43 times higher in 2021.
Behavioral health visits saw the largest increase, with 35% of these services delivered via telehealth in 2021 — the highest among all specialties. This data underscores the critical role telehealth plays in expanding Medicare telehealth behavioral health access, particularly for mental health care.
Bipartisan Support for Expanding Medicare Telehealth Behavioral Health Access
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) have reintroduced the bill, emphasizing the need for expanded Medicare behavioral health access. Senator Smith, a founding member of the Senate Mental Health Caucus, described telehealth as a vital lifeline for many who otherwise face significant barriers to care.
Senator Cardin noted, “We fought to expand telehealth access during the pandemic and the results demonstrated how critical a tool it is for countless Americans, especially for mental health services.”
Broader Behavioral Health Reform and Telehealth
The bill fits into a wider trend of bipartisan efforts to improve behavioral health care in the U.S., including recent legislation like the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. These reforms aim to strengthen funding and reduce barriers, further supporting expanded Medicare telehealth behavioral health access.
Industry Moves Reflect Growing Demand for Medicare Telehealth Behavioral Health Access
The behavioral health industry is responding to increasing demand for telehealth among Medicare beneficiaries. Brightside Health recently announced plans to expand into Medicare and Medicaid, effectively doubling its potential patient population and increasing Medicare telehealth behavioral health access.
Brad Kittredge, CEO of Brightside Health, said, “Medicare beneficiaries and providers have come to rely on telemedicine to ensure access to high-quality mental healthcare for seniors… Perpetuating access among the Medicare population should be a no-brainer.”
Likewise, Talkspace Inc., a leader in virtual mental health services, is launching offerings for Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients, further enhancing Medicare behavioral health access.
Conclusion: Improving Mental Health Access for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Telemental Health Care Access Act represents a critical step toward expanding Medicare behavioral health access, especially for seniors and those in underserved communities. Removing the in-person exam mandate will allow more Medicare beneficiaries to receive timely, convenient, and effective mental health care remotely.
As telehealth continues to prove its value, especially for behavioral health, these legislative efforts promise to make mental health services more accessible and equitable for millions of Americans relying on Medicare.
