When Congress expanded telehealth through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, it counterintuitively imposed a burdensome requirement that Medicare beneficiaries see a mental health provider in person within six months prior to an initial telehealth appointment and periodically thereafter. Although that requirement has consistently been delayed through large funding bills, it temporarily went into effect after Congress failed to pass a funding bill to extend the delay. Lack of permanency leaves patients and providers in limbo if these leniencies are not extended on their own. 

The Telemental Health Care Access Act (S. 2011/H.R. 3884) would permanently remove this in-person requirement, ensuring patients can continue receiving high-quality, consistent mental health care wherever they live. Contact your lawmakers today and urge them to cosponsor this critical bipartisan legislation.

And if your Member of Congress replies to your email, we would love to know! Please share any followup with us at govaffairs@aacap.org.