Article Published: 4/15/2020
Many counselors are attempting to navigate a multitude of regulation adjustments. Each state has different requirements for counselors providing telemental health services, and each commercial insurer has different reimbursement policies. As we all work through the best ways to continue serving our clients, the resources included here are intended to provide guidance in this process.
The state governments regulate the insurance industry via each state insurance commissioner’s office. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners lists contact information for every state insurance commissioner. If you are unsure of how telemental health services are regulated by the state and private insurance, contact your state insurance commissioner’s office or our Government Affairs team at govtaffairs@nbcc.org.
Some commercial insurers do not currently reimburse counselors for telehealth services. However, some states have temporarily directed insurers to reimburse counselors for telehealth services. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an emergency rule directing insurance companies to reimburse mental health counselors in the state for telehealth services for up to 120 days (via the Texas Counseling Association). NBCC is supportive of efforts to lift telemental health restrictions during this emergency.
In addition, many commercial insurers have announced that they intend to also temporarily ease restrictions and lower costs for telemental health services. America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) maintains a list of insurers who have temporarily altered their policies.
If you have any questions regarding regulation changes, we are here to help! Contact our Government Affairs team with any questions.
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