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Good News
Mental Health Parity has
passed!
Medicare Reimbursement:
Congressional action blocked the
impending 10.6% cut in the Medicare payment update.
In addition, a temporary 5% bump in payment for
psychotherapy services was included.
More importantly, historic
improvements in mental health coverage were
included:
The bill also includes:
Parity within Medicare has been achieved with the
repeal of the discriminatory 50% Coinsurance for
Mental Health Care under Medicare Part B. After the
phase-in is complete, patients will pay the same 20%
co-pay for outpatient mental health services as they
pay for all other care.
Effective January 1, 2013, Medicare
will pay for benzodiazepine and barbiturate
prescriptions.
Vulnerable patients will be assured
access to all or substantially all of the
medications they require, specifically including
antidepressants and antipsychotics. |
