Clinicians are navigating a rapidly shifting policy landscape shaped by federal legislation, state enforcement, and emerging technologies. This expert-led webinar offers a comprehensive update on telehealth policy through January 2026, with a focus on how evolving rules impact both general healthcare and behavioral health delivery.
The session will begin with a federal policy overview, examining recent and pending legislation and regulations that impact telehealth reimbursement, prescribing, privacy, and compliance for both behavioral and general health providers. From there, the webinar will delve into a selection of topics related to cross-state licensure, led by Jessica Rigsby, JD, who will unpack key items clinicians should be aware of as they begin the 2026 year. These will include the current licensure framework, enforcement trends, and the practical implications for clinicians practicing virtually across state lines. This segment will also address the current state of federal and state teleprescribing regulations as of early 2026, including regulations related to controlled substances and medication-assisted treatment.
The program will then pivot to the future-facing work of Tara Sklar, JD, focusing on her forthcoming research on regulating mental health AI chatbots and her article in NEJM, Financing Telehealth – Moving Beyond Payment Parity. This discussion will explore the current U.S. policy environment for healthcare AI, including how existing laws are being applied to mental health technologies. The presentation will also address the discussion of payment parity and financing for telehealth.
The webinar will conclude with a moderated Q&A session and a brief orientation to key professional organizations and policy resources that clinicians can use to stay informed, including the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and Coalition for Behavioral Health in Telemedicine (CBHA).