Health Affairs: We Need National Policies For Voice-Based Telepsychiatry
As of April 2024, no federal legislation or guidance has been implemented to establish permanence for telepsychiatry, and specifically for voice-based visits. With all telehealth flexibilities expiring at the end of 2024, in this piece, authors advocate for the permanent adoption and coverage of VBT, illustrate its importance using patient data, and provide recommendations on measures to incorporate it into policies to promote equity. Additionally, the authors encourage national adoption of universal terminology representing voice-based telehealth visits, defined as visits that take place through live real-time vocal interactions without the use of video or other visual components.