H.R. 6778House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:39 PM UTC

The Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth Act would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states on how Medicaid can reimburse providers for substance‑use‑disorder services delivered through telehealth. The guidance would cover a range of treatments—including assessments, medication‑assisted treatment, counseling, and medication management—and would apply to high‑risk groups and to services provided in school‑based health centers.

Key Provisions

Within one year of enactment, HHS (through CMS) must publish guidance for states on Medicaid reimbursement options for substance‑use‑disorder services delivered via telehealth.
The guidance must detail reimbursement for assessments, medication‑assisted treatment, counseling, medication management, and medication adherence using telehealth modalities.
It must address reimbursement for high‑risk populations: American Indians and Alaska Natives, adults under 40, people with a history of non‑fatal overdose, and those with co‑occurring serious mental illness.
States must be advised on reimbursement for provider education on treating Medicaid beneficiaries with substance‑use disorders, using hub‑and‑spoke models, managed‑care contracts, disease‑management claims, and DSRIP programs.
The guidance must also cover Medicaid reimbursement for substance‑use‑disorder services delivered via telehealth in school‑based health centers.
Defines “school‑based health center” as per the Social Security Act and defines “telehealth services” to include live video, store‑and‑forward, remote monitoring, mobile health, phone consults, and e‑consults.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

September 12, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 12, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

September 12, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 12, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6778

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 12, 2018

Mr. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide guidance to States regarding Federal reimbursement for furnishing services and treatment for substance use disorders under Medicaid using telehealth services.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth Act.

Guidance to States regarding Federal reimbursement for furnishing services and treatment for substance use disorders under Medicaid using telehealth services, including in school-based health centers

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall issue guidance to States on the following:

(1)

State options for Federal reimbursement of expenditures under Medicaid for furnishing services and treatment for substance use disorders, including assessment, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, medication management, and medication adherence with prescribed medication regimes, using telehealth services. Such guidance shall also include guidance on furnishing services and treatments that address the needs of high-risk individuals, including at least the following groups:

(A)

American Indians and Alaska Natives.

(B)

Adults under the age of 40.

(C)

Individuals with a history of nonfatal overdose.

(D)

Individuals with a co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorder.

(2)

State options for Federal reimbursement of expenditures under Medicaid for education directed to providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders using the hub and spoke model, through contracts with managed care entities, through administrative claiming for disease management activities, and under Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) programs.

(3)

State options for Federal reimbursement of expenditures under Medicaid for furnishing services and treatment for substance use disorders for individuals enrolled in Medicaid in a school-based health center using telehealth services.

(b)

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

School-based health center

The term school-based health center has the meaning given that term in section 2110(c)(9) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397jj(c)(9)).

(2)

Telehealth services

The term telehealth services includes remote patient monitoring and other key modalities such as live video or synchronous telehealth, store-and-forward or asynchronous telehealth, mobile health, telephonic consultation, and electronic consult including provider-to-provider e-consults.