The Senate Committee on Health yesterday unanimously voted to approve a measure that would allow same-day billing in rural areas for physical and mental health office visits.
SB 1150 by Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) applies to rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers -- facilities with generally low-income patients, Hueso said. Many patients are homeless and often have mental health issues that need treatment, he said.
"The current practice requires subsequent appointments," Hueso said, "but there's obviously a great need to provide mental health services, and most times these patients don't return for that treatment."
Read more here.
