42 USC 254c-16 - Mental health services delivered via telehealth

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 254c–16.

Mental health services delivered via telehealth

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Eligible entity

(2)

Qualified mental health professionals

(3)

Special populations

The term “special populations” refers to the following 2 distinct groups:

(A)

Children and adolescents in mental health underserved rural areas or in mental health underserved urban areas.

(B)

Elderly individuals located in long-term care facilities in mental health underserved rural or urban areas.

(4)

Telehealth

(b)

Program authorized

(1)

In general

(2)

Populations served

(c)

Use of funds

(1)

In general

An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds—

(A)

for the populations described in subsection (a)(3)(A)—

(i)

to provide mental health services, including diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, as delivered remotely by qualified mental health professionals using telehealth; and

(ii)

to collaborate with local public health entities to provide the mental health services; and

(B)

for the populations described in subsection (a)(3)(B)—

(i)

to provide mental health services, including diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, in long-term care facilities as delivered remotely by qualified mental health professionals using telehealth; and

(ii)

to collaborate with local public health entities to provide the mental health services.

(2)

Other uses

An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section may also use the grant funds to—

(A)

pay telecommunications costs; and

(B)

pay qualified mental health professionals on a reasonable cost basis as determined by the Secretary for services rendered.

(3)

Prohibited uses

An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall not use the grant funds to—

(A)

purchase or install transmission equipment (other than such equipment used by qualified mental health professionals to deliver mental health services using telehealth under the project involved); or

(B)

build upon or acquire real property.

(d)

Equitable distribution

(e)

Application

(f)

Report

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 330K, as added Pub. L. 107–251, title II, § 221, Oct. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 1640; amended Pub. L. 108–163, § 2(d), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2021.)

cite as: 42 USC 254c-16