Medicare Mental Health Access: Higher Pay for Social Workers, Better Coverage.
This law aims to improve mental health care access for Medicare beneficiaries, including those residing in nursing facilities. It increases the reimbursement rate for Clinical Social Workers (CSWs) to encourage more participation in the program. Crucially, it expands the types of behavioral health services covered by Medicare when provided by CSWs, making mental health support more accessible.
Key points
Increases Medicare payment rates for Clinical Social Workers from 75% to 85% of the standard fee schedule, potentially increasing the availability of therapists.
Removes barriers for residents of skilled nursing facilities to access CSW services, ensuring these services are covered separately by Medicare.
Expands the range of covered services provided by CSWs to include health and behavior assessment and intervention, not just diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.
Expired
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