Policy and Payment Factors Affecting the PMH-NP in the United States

There are unique policy and reimbursement issues pertinent to the Psychiatric Mental Health-Nurse Practitioner (PMH-NP) that are complex and ever-evolving. In the past decade specifically, mental health legislation at the federal level has made, and will continue to make, a serious impact on PMH-NP practice. Pending legislation and policy trends, namely telehealth, affect how and where PMH-NPs will practice and the rates of reimbursement. This article summarizes some recent developments and trends regarding delivery of care and payment that are germane to the PMH-NP. The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services' (CMS) guidelines for mental health billing and telehealth also are discussed.