Fiona Fonseca, MD, of the American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal, recently interviewed Hossam Mahmoud, MD and Omar Elhaj, MD about the benefits and challenges of working as a Telepsychiatrist.  Happy Listening!

Illinois is First State to Require Coverage of Collaborative Care Codes

Originally published in Psychiatric News by the American Psychiatric Association:

Illinois’ new collaborative care law is a powerful example of the impressive impact that close collaboration between APA and its district branches and state associations can bring for physicians and patients. Last month, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law SB 2085, Coverage of the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model. The language includes APA’s model legislation, requiring private insurers and Medicaid in Illinois to cover collaborative care CPT codes. With the strong support of the Illinois Psychiatric Society (IPS), Illinois is now the first state in the nation to enact a law requiring the coverage of collaborative care codes that will increase access to mental health care for patients in primary care settings.

Abstract

Abstract

Despite the staggering physical, economic, and societal costs of mental health conditions in the United States, there continues to be a significant gap in mental health service, as access lags behind the demand for them. The uneven distribution of mental health service providers contributes to this gap, making it necessary to incorporate novel approaches to the delivery of mental health services. Telepsychiatry has proven to be one of the more innovative approaches for improving access to mental health services. This article focuses on six challenges that have historically impeded larger-scale adoption of telepsychiatry: limited training, limitations of existing research, security and technology issues, clinical practice challenges, licensure, and reimbursement restrictions. The article discusses recent developments, ongoing advances, and future directions to overcoming these barriers. [Psychiatr Ann. 2019;49(2):82–88.]

The mental health field continues to experience a significant service gap. Despite an increase in demand for psychiatric services, access to care continues to lag. In this context, telepsychiatry, defined as the use of information and communication technologies to provide mental health services remotely via videoconferencing, has emerged as a method to enhance access to care. A large body of evidence supports the use of telepsychiatry as an effective, acceptable, and cost-efficient method of health care delivery that is equivalent to face-to face care.

Degree of service gap in correctional settings

A large percentage of inmates struggle with mental health conditions. However, access to appropriate psychiatric care within correctional settings has been limited due to a variety of factors, including the shortage of clinicians, the geographic locations of correctional settings, and financial issues. In addition, there are staffing and security requirements that can cause delays to care. 

Telepsychiatry: an Innovative Approach to Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Abstract:

The United States has been experiencing an “opioid epidemic” of crippling magnitude that has led the Government on October 26, 2017 to declare the opioid crisis “a public health emergency.”