In late September, the Senate Finance Committee released a bipartisan discussion draft bill that aims to address the nation’s crippling behavioral healthcare crisis by providing funding for 4,000 Medicare Graduate Medical Education psychiatry residencies over the next decade.
Additional planned federal steps, such as expanding the Medicare billing scope for social workers and incentivizing psychiatrists to practice in recognized provider shortage areas, might help further close the gap.
But, to really address the enormous shortfall of behavioral health workers and contend with the growing incidence of behavioral health concerns across all socioeconomic groups, we need to do more to maximize the contributions of the professionals we have right now.
Telemedicine makes it easier for more patients in a wider geographical area to connect with skilled providers without the challenges of transportation, childcare, or taking excessive time off work.
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Take the example of the Indian Health System (IHS), which serves extremely remote and vulnerable American Indian and Alaskan Native communities across some of the most rugged and poorly connected regions in the country. Through telemedicine, IHS patients can get consistent, culturally competent care from highly qualified social workers and psychiatrists at their local clinics or even in their homes – care that would be close to impossible if these communities had to rely solely on in-person behavioral healthcare.
These initiatives are just the beginning for virtual behavioral healthcare. But, to capitalize on the momentum, we must act swiftly to remove the policy, technical, and financial barriers to remote care.
The challenges posed by telehealth licensures, such as long wait times and excessive costs, can be addressed through enhanced interstate collaboration. In addition, we can alleviate barriers to care by eliminating any requirements for an in-person visit prior to a telehealth encounter. Lastly, we need to dramatically boost investment in broadband internet connectivity for rural areas, which are among the hardest hit with behavioral health issues and provider shortages.
All three of these pieces need to be in place to start making a dent in the nationwide need for accessible, affordable, and meaningful behavioral health services. Only then can we develop a sustainable, high-quality network of virtual clinicians to stem the rising tide of mental and behavioral health concerns.
Source: HIT Consultant