Inclusion of Telemedicine in Behavioral Health Quality Measures

The authors evaluated available evidence to determine whether telemedicine services should be allowed in seven nationally reported behavioral health quality measures in the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set.

The authors searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for articles that met several inclusion criteria (relevant diagnosis and age, as specified in the quality measures). They also consulted expert panels on whether, and how, to include telemedicine in behavioral health measure specifications.

Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Their findings suggested that video conferencing, telephone calls, and web-based telemedicine modalities are as effective as in-person visits for diagnosis and management of most mental health and substance use disorders. Expert panels supported including telemedicine modalities in specific behavioral health measures.

Specific telemedicine modalities are effective, convenient ways to deliver behavioral health care. Revising quality measures to allow telemedicine services will support new methods for providing care.