We are pleased to once again release our latest update to EBG’s Telemental Health Laws app, an extensive compilation of laws, policies, and other state guidance for practitioners supporting the mental/behavioral health practice disciplines. Continued Efforts to Strike a Perfect Balance Even though the pandemic-induced spike in legal and regulatory changes in the telemental health space has somewhat subsided, states and professional licensing boards have continued to modify their existing laws, regulations, and guidance in efforts to strike the perfect balance between allowing flexibilities for telehealth providers and ensuring a high quality of care. These continued changes make clear that laws and regulations have yet to settle into a new normal in a post-public health emergency (PHE) world.
Although the PHE officially ended in May 2023, the passage in December 2022 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, extended many federal telehealth flexibilities until December 31, 2024, providing certain assurances with respect to coverage parameters for furnishing telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries (including a continued delay of the initial and periodic in-person visit requirements for telemental health services). As of the time of publication, Congress continues to evaluate options to further extend certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities temporarily as part of the anticipated year-end legislative package. The Wait for DEA Rulemaking Continues In 2024, telehealt.