Expanding Access to Mental Health: Incentives for Psychologists in Underserved Areas.
This Act aims to improve access to psychological and behavioral services, particularly for Medicare beneficiaries. It introduces a 10% bonus payment for clinical psychologists practicing in designated health professional shortage areas to encourage them to serve these regions. Furthermore, the legislation removes unnecessary oversight requirements, allowing clinical psychologists to supervise or manage the care of patients receiving psychological services in various facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities and home health settings, where previously a physician's supervision was often required. These changes are scheduled to take effect starting January 1, 2025.
Key points
Incentives for Rural Practice: Clinical psychologists will receive an additional 10% payment for services provided in areas designated as having a shortage of health professionals, increasing service availability in those regions.
Reduced Oversight: The requirement for a physician's supervision or care is eliminated for qualified psychological services in settings like skilled nursing facilities and comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities; clinical psychologists can now provide this oversight, subject to State law.
Increased Autonomy: Clinical psychologists gain greater independence in managing patient care for psychological services across different medical settings.
Effective Date: All changes related to incentives and reduced oversight will apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2025.
Expired
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