For the first time, the federal government is considering covering digital therapy tools through Medicare, benefiting health-tech companies and patients.
The proposal from CMS would reimburse doctors for digital mental health treatment apps, but only if used alongside ongoing behavioral healthcare, with a narrow scope of coverage limited to FDA-approved products.
The move is welcomed by experts like Dee Chaudhary and Raj Amin, who see it as a significant step forward for older individuals and mental health patients, while also emphasizing the importance of clinical data in supporting claims.
CMS is taking steps to monitor the usage of digital tools in behavioral healthcare, aiming to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the products for patients on Medicare.