HHS outlined an action plan May 4 to “curb psychiatric overprescribing” when clinically indicated, especially for children.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., detailed the initiative at a MAHA Institute summit, focusing on evaluating prescription patterns, assessing benefits and harms, and increasing use of nonmedication treatments, according to a May 4 news release from HHS.
Here are five things to know:
- HHS agencies will support efforts through grant-supported child-specific training for frontline prescribers, expanded access to specialist consultation and same-day consults, and CMS actions to broaden coverage for evidence-based nonmedication care and reduce reliance on psychiatric medications.
- The agency issued a Dear Colleague letter encouraging providers to prioritize informed consent, shared decision-making and regular review of psychiatric medications. The letter also highlights nonmedication approaches, such as family support, psychotherapy, nutrition and physical activity, and their applicable CPT billing codes.
- CMS released guidance clarifying how physicians can be reimbursed for deprescribing-related care under Medicare and pointing to established deprescribing resources, including professional society guidelines, peer-reviewed deprescribing protocols and FDA taper schedules, according to the release.
- HHS said additional efforts will include reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on prescribing trends as well as education webinars and expanded access to evidence-based nonmedication care. The National Institutes of Health and FDA will also expedite research on new mental health treatments.
- In July, HHS will bring together a technical expert panel to gather input from health professionals, patients and families, government agencies and professional societies, informing clinical guidance on appropriate use of psychiatric medications, tapering and discontinuation.
