New bill allows Medi-Cal reimbursement for substance abuse counselors

Sydney Isenberg

1:38 PM, Sep 19, 2018

Oxycodone pain pills prescribed for a patient with chronic pain lie on display on March 23, 2016 in Norwich, CT.

John Moore

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that will allow reimbursement for substance abuse counselors.

AB 2861 will allow Medi-Cal reimbursement for certified substance use disorder counselors that provide treatment via telehealth to those suffering from addiction. Telehealth is a term used to describe technologies medical providers can use to help treat their patients, such as online consultations.

The bill was authored by Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield). According to Assemblymember Salas, it is meant to provide better access to substance abuse treatment, especially for those rural areas.

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