Expanding access to behavioral health services in rural communities
March 4, 2026
House Agriculture Committee reports bipartisan farm bill, including key policies supporting access to care in rural communities
Our focus
- Ensure broader coverage of telehealth services.
Telehealth is a key strategy to expand access to mental and behavioral health services, particularly in geographic areas and socioeconomic communities that have traditionally lacked access to them. Coverage of audio-only telehealth is also a key means of expanding access in areas that lack access to broadband services or to individuals who lack familiarity with audio-video telehealth technology. - Eliminate unnecessary and arbitrary barriers to coverage of mental and behavioral health services furnished via telehealth.
APA Services continues to call for the elimination of statutory and regulatory barriers to tele-mental and tele-behavioral health services that are unrelated to the clinical appropriateness of such services, such as a requirement for an in-person visit every six months. - Advocate for equitable coverage and reimbursement of tele-mental and behavioral health services.
Despite the value of telehealth in expanding access to mental and behavioral health treatment, many public and private health insurance plans reimburse at lower rates for these services compared to their in-person counterparts.
Our efforts on this issue advance the following advocacy priorities:
- Access to health services, including mental and behavioral health services
- Health equity for underserved and vulnerable populations
- Reimbursement and scope of practice
Acceptance and use of telehealth for treatment of mental and behavioral health services remains a popular option for patients and practitioners alike. In some cases, the decision ... to use telehealth may have superior clinical benefits over their in-person counterparts.
What you can do
Related issues
Contact us
Stephen R. Gillaspy, PhD
Deputy Chief, Health Policy and Healthcare Financing
Andrew Strickland, JD
Senior Legislative and Regulatory Officer
Email APA Advocacy Office
Recent advocacy on telehealth access
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