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Revisions to Telehealth and MHR, LMHP, and SUD Telemedicine Regarding the PHE Ending (IB 20-4; IB 20-6, and IB 20-7)

Date: 03/16/23

Louisiana Healthcare Connections is sharing revisions made to several telemedicine/telehealth Informational Bulletins on March 16, 2023.

The same change was included in all three. 

The Biden Administration announced the public health emergency is set to expire on May 11, 2023. Beginning May 12, 2023, the requirements in the Medicaid Behavioral Health Services Provider Manual will resume. The Medicaid Behavioral Health Services Provider Manual can be found at the following link: https://www.lamedicaid.com/provweb1/providermanuals/BHS_main.htm.

Assessments and evaluations conducted by an LMHP through telehealth should include synchronous, interactive, real-time electronic communication comprising both audio and visual elements, unless clinically appropriate and based on documented member consent effective May 12, 2023.

Provider responsibilities when providing services delivered through telehealth include:

  • The provider shall deliver telehealth services in accordance with all state and federal laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and any HIPAA related directives from the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services.The provider shall deliver telehealth services in accordance with rules set forth by their respective professional licensing board and accepted standards of clinical practice.
  • The provider shall maintain documentation for the services delivered through the use of telehealth and document the specific telehealth modality used.
  • The provider shall use the appropriate procedure code, modifiers, and place of service codes.

Psychological testing and group therapy provided by an LMHP shall be delivered through an in-person service delivery method effective May 12, 2023, unless otherwise allowed per the Manual or subsequent LDH-issued notice.

Telehealth/telemedicine may be used to facilitate certain services, when clinically appropriate. Along with the addition of members being able to request services to be delivered in-person. 

Effective May 12, 2023, services provided using telehealth must include a secure telecommunication system which is compliant with HIPAA requirements and psychological testing may only be performed through an in-person service delivery method.

Telemedicine/telehealth may be utilized for outpatient group psychotherapy until May 11, 2023. Effective May 12, 2023, group psychotherapy shall be provided via an in-person delivery method. 

Providers may refer to the Medicaid Behavioral Health Services Provider Manual for a description of services that can be provided through telehealth; associated billing codes/rates can be found on the Specialized Behavioral Health Fee Schedule.

Additional guidance around in-person encounters was removed.