What Are the Telehealth Rules for Behavioral Health in Georgia?

By Korey Akinbami · November 4, 2026

Georgia Medicaid covers many behavioral health services by telehealth if the member consents in writing, the technology is HIPAA compliant and the record shows how and where the service happened. Medicare has made some behavioral health telehealth rules permanent. DEA prescribing rules are still changing, so check before you rely on them.

Georgia Medicaid: the big rules

Georgia's DCH Telehealth Guidance (version October 1, 2026) says:

Telehealth is not an expansion of covered services. It is another way to deliver covered ones.
Services must use HIPAA-compliant, encrypted technology.
Written member consent is required before the service, and copies go in the records.

For billing, the guidance lists place of service 02 for sites other than the home and 10 for the home, with the GT modifier as applicable. Care management plans may have their own billing rules, so check each one.

Community behavioral health services

For Community Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services, DCH says DCH and DBHDD allow telemedicine for most services to members who consent, following the DBHDD Provider Manual. Members may be at home, school or other community settings.

The guidance also says:

Licensed counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists must follow Georgia's TeleMental Health rule (135-11-01), including its training.
Providers must use the consent form in the guidance's Appendix A.
Telephone contacts are not counted as "telemedicine" for these services.

Document every telehealth visit

DCH asks that records show the service was done by telehealth, where both sides were, start and stop times, credentials and the signed consent. The DBHDD manual also says notes must name the modality and where the person was during the service.

Audio-only

DCH's guidance says audio-only services must use HIPAA-compliant technology. Read the guidance closely, because which services allow audio-only, and how they are billed, varies by program.

Medicare

Telehealth.HHS.gov says some Medicare behavioral and mental health telehealth rules are permanent. These include the patient's home as a valid location, no geographic limits, audio-only in some cases, and marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as eligible providers.

It also says Medicare's in-person visit requirement for telemental health does not apply through December 31, 2027. CMS's FAQ says patients who start before January 1, 2028 will need an in-person visit every 12 months after that date. Check CMS for updates.

Prescribing controlled substances

The DEA extended its telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2026. Until then, practitioners may prescribe Schedule II–V drugs by audio-video telehealth without a prior in-person exam, if other rules are met. Audio-only is allowed for some opioid use disorder medications.

A permanent rule is still in the works. These rules may change soon. Check the DEA and Telehealth.HHS.gov before your team relies on them.

What the consent form covers

DCH's Appendix A says the consent form must be given and signed before the first telehealth service, in a way the member can understand. It tells members:

They can refuse telehealth at any time without losing future care or benefits.
Other options, including in-person care, will be offered.
They can know who is present at each end and can exclude anyone.
They can see a trained staff member in person right after if an urgent need comes up.

For a minor, a parent or guardian presents the child and signs the consent, unless law says otherwise.

Costs you can't pass on

DCH says the cost of telehealth technology or data can't be charged to the member. For community behavioral health services, there is no separate originating site fee; telehealth costs are built into the service rates.

Key takeaways

Georgia Medicaid telehealth needs written consent, HIPAA-compliant tools and full documentation.
Use POS 02 or 10 as DCH directs, and check each plan's rules.
Georgia counselors, social workers and MFTs must follow TeleMental Health rule 135-11-01.
Some Medicare behavioral telehealth rules are permanent; the in-person rule is paused through 2027.
DEA flexibilities run through Dec. 31, 2026 and may change.

How DIG helps

Ducere Investment Group (DIG) has consulted mental and behavioral health agencies for 14 years. We help Georgia agencies build telehealth workflows, consent tracking and note checklists that match current guidance. We are a business consultant. We do not give legal or clinical advice, and we cannot promise payment or survey results.

See our services or contact us. Call 404-565-0181.

Sources

Written by Korey Akinbami, Founder & Principal. Published by Ducere Investment Group, Inc.

This article is general information, not legal, medical or billing advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Georgia Medicaid pay for therapy by video?

Many covered behavioral health services may be delivered by telehealth if DCH and DBHDD rules are met, including consent and HIPAA-compliant technology. Check the current DCH guidance for your service.

Do we need a special consent form?

For community behavioral health services, DCH says to use the consent form in Appendix A of its telehealth guidance. Keep the signed form in the record.

Can clients be at home during telehealth?

DCH says members receiving community behavioral health telemedicine may be at home, school or other community settings. Medicare also allows the home for behavioral health.

Are DEA telemedicine rules permanent?

Not yet. The DEA extended its flexibilities through December 31, 2026. A permanent rule may change things, so check the DEA.