Bill would enable behavioral health providers to receive EHR payments

A bill introduced by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I) would expand eligibility for EHR incentive payments to include mental and behavioral health professionals, including psychologists, community mental health centers and psychiatric hospitals.

The Behavioral Health Information Technology Act (S. 1517) would:

• Expand the types of providers eligible for Medicare incentives for the use of EHR to include licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers and psychiatric hospitals;
• Expand eligibility for Medicaid Meaningful Use incentive payments to include community mental health centers, mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals, licensed psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers; and
• Allow EHR incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals under Medicare Advantage plans.

“In the wake of this week’s tragic mass shooting in Washington, we are once again confronting questions about the treatment of mental illness in America,” said Whitehouse in a statement on the bill. “Many questions remain about the shooting, but one thing is crystal clear: mental health is just as important as physical health.”

Sen. Whitehouse introduced a similar version of this bill in 2010.