Alexandria, Va., March 26, 2007 - The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) today applauded Representatives Barbara Cubin (R-WY) and Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Senators Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) for introducing the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 921/H.R. 1588). This legislation will provide Medicare beneficiaries with greater choice among qualified providers and will enhance their ability to obtain needed mental health services.
Medicare reimbursement of licensed mental health counselors is a top legislative priority for AMHCA and its members.
S. 921 and H.R. 1588 will allow direct reimbursement to licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists who provide services to Medicare beneficiaries. Specifically, the legislation would include mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists among the list of providers who can deliver mental health services to Medicare beneficiaries, provided they are legally authorized to perform those services under their state's law. The legislation would also require Medicare to reimburse mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists at the same rate as clinical social workers.
Medicare currently covers the services of independently practicing psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and clinical nurse specialists, but does not recognize mental health counselors or marriage and family therapists as separately reimbursable mental health providers.
In previous years, the U.S. Senate has passed legislation identical to that of S. 921 and H.R. 1588 as part of more comprehensive Medicare legislation. The provision, however, was not included in the final bill signed into law by President Bush.
"AMHCA is grateful to Senators Thomas and Lincoln and Representatives Cubin and Gordon for introducing this legislation and for their commitment to ensuring greater access to mental health services for our nation's seniors and disabled Medicare beneficiaries," said AMHCA President Gail Mears, PsyD, LCMHC, NCC. "We look forward to working closely with these members to secure the ultimate enactment of the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act."