Over the last two years, concerns about mental health and substance abuse have grown, and issues around accessibility and affordability continue to be pervasive. Now, insurance companies and industry leaders are trying to adapt. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up highlights insurance coverage of telemental health, telemental diagnoses, changes in Medicaid and mental health care, and telehealth updates in a Roanoke health organization.
Mental health conditions continue to be most common telehealth diagnoses
A new report reveals that while there were various changes in telehealth use from 2020 to 2022, mental health conditions have consistently appeared among the top telehealth diagnoses across the country. Learn more.
Therapists, mental health providers less likely to accept Medicaid post-pandemic
Medicaid patients are facing a possible loss of virtual mental health care in the post-pandemic world. With fewer therapists planning to continue virtual care for Medicaid patients post-pandemic, it could leave many patients unable to afford out-of-pocket costs of virtual care. Learn more about how Medicaid patients could get left behind post-pandemic.
Carillion Clinic launches new telehealth app
Exciting advancements are happening in Southwest Virginia. Carilion Clinic in Roanoke has launched two new smartphone apps to provide wider access to telehealth services and online scheduling. The new apps will allow the health system to expand services into rural areas and will break down some of the barriers of having to drive to one of the health system’s facilities. Learn more about how Carilion Clinic is expanding its telemedicine and online services.
Insurers report on mental health coverage and access
As the need for mental health supports grows, insurance companies are measuring accessibility and affordability of access to such care. According to a recent survey by America’s Health Insurance Plans, 73% of insured participants said getting mental health care was easy and 60% said their services were covered by insurance. Over half of the participants credited this success to telehealth. Read more about how insurance companies are increasing access to mental health care.
According to a recent survey by The Harris Poll, 21% of participants said they had trouble accessing primary health care, but more than twice as many had difficulty accessing mental health or substance use disorder treatment. Read more on how we can work to change accessibility to mental health care nationwide.
VTN is working in partnership with Virginia’s Free and Charitable Clinics, providers and other stakeholders to launch the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative, a pilot program that aims to expand access to behavioral and mental health care across the Commonwealth. Click here to learn more about the pilot and how you can get involved.