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Telepsychiatry to aid in treatment of rural psychiatric patients on
Medicaid
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[July 19, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed
legislation Wednesday that gives Illinoisans living in rural
communities increased access to psychiatric care.
Senate Bill 6 allows rural Medicaid patients to receive
treatment through telepsychiatry -- the use of technology, primarily
videoconferencing -- to provide psychiatric care despite the
distance. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Deanne Demuzio,
D-Carlinville, and Rep. Patricia Bellock, R-Westmont.
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 "Now people who need quality mental health care but live long
distances from mental health providers will be able to get the help
they need," Blagojevich said. "Everyone who needs psychiatric care
should be able to get it, regardless of where they live. The use of
telepsychiatry is an exciting step in expanding access to health
care for all."
The legislation addresses the shortage of psychiatrists working
in rural communities, a problem that affects not only Illinois, but
the nation. Many mentally ill patients live long distances from a
mental health facility and have limited access to transportation,
making it difficult to obtain adequate mental health care. Senate
Bill 6 requires the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family
Services to reimburse psychiatrists and federally qualified health
centers for mental health services provided via telepsychiatry.
Illinois joins more than 10 other states that have similar
regulations in place.
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"SB 6 is a wonderful result of the hard work done by the Rural
Healthcare Task Force over the last two years and will provide
much-needed access to mental health services in the rural areas of
Illinois," said Bellock, House sponsor of the legislation.
"Senate Bill 6 is one answer to the variety of challenges that
citizens in our downstate and rural communities face as they seek
access to health care, especially mental health services, which are
limited in many areas due to lack of psychiatrists," said Demuzio,
Senate sponsor. "Telemedicine has proven beneficial throughout the
country, and I thank the governor for signing this important piece
of legislation which aligns Illinois with several other states
through policies which promote access to care through telepsychiatry
and, as a result, also provides access to care needed due to the
effects of meth abuse in rural Illinois."
Senate Bill 6 is effective immediately.
[Text from file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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