The Rhode Island Society of Addiction Medicine (RISAM) submitted a letter in support of a bill to permanently implement telehealth flexibilities granted due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine (KYSAM) urged Governor Beshear to use emergency powers granted to him due to the COVID-19 health emergency to remove prior authorization requirements for MAT.

ASAM joined with 51 other organizations in commending the introduction of the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act of 2020 (SB3792), which would require group health plans and health insurers to cover mental health and addiction telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The New Jersey Society of Addiction Medicine made comments on legislation that would require that residential aftercare facilities treating individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health disorders have a licensed mental health care professional on-site or on-call, at all times, among other things.

ASAM joined 41 other organizations in asking CMS to extend telehealth flexibilities granted due to the COVID-19 health emergency.

House Democrats introduced the Heroes Act, the fourth legislative package designed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) sent a letter commending the introduction of H.R. 6644, the Health Care at Home Act, which would require group health plans and health insurers to cover telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

CMS issued an interim final rule to allow periodic assessment furnished by OTPs to be furnished during the public health emergency (PHE) for the COVID-19 pandemic via two-way interactive audio-video communication technology, and in some cases, via audio-only phone calls. Additionally, CMS expanded the list of services that it will pay for when delivered via audio-only methods.