There is big news this month for masters-level practitioners–counselors and marriage and family therapists alike–as it applies to accepting Medicare clients in private practice!The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2011, which was recently submitted to Congress, advocates for the inclusion of professional counselors (LMHCs, LPCs, LCPCs) and marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) into the list of approved Medicare providers! Hence, masters-level mental health providers may soon be able to be credentialed with Medicare, and reimbursed at the same rate as LICSWs!
Stay tuned for more, or call us at 1-855-4-THRIVE for the most recent updates.
Warmly,
Your Friends at Thriveworks
approximately what time frame will this happen?
It’s hard to say for sure, but we will keep you posted with updates!
My e a p position is about to end as my position is being discontinued. I am an lmhc and would like to get on provider lists of ins companies and start a private practice.Any thoughts?
Hello Roger,
We’d love to help you with medical credentialing! Simply call us at 1-855-4-THRIVE to get started!
- Warmly, Your friends at Thriveworks.
Any updates on this? Thanks!
Just wondering if there are any updates at all regarding licensed counselors and Medicare?
Nothing yet, but we’ll keep you posted for sure!
Anyone have any news about the status of LPCs and LMFTs being able to bill for Medicare? Might there be a bill introduced in 2011 that would include this? Thanks!
Nothing yet, but we will keep you posted!!
Just checking on the status of LMHC’s being able to bill Medicare. Any new word?
Thanks!
Pam
Nothing yet!! We can’t wait either!
Is there any word on the billing issue with Medicare and LPC’s and LMFT’s yet? And is there any way to speed things up?
Any upcoming news planned in 2012 for the medicare billing for LPC and LMHC?
Nothing yet! Sorry!
Can a LMHC be credentialed with insurance companies in new mexico?
Of course! If you’d like help, please feel free to reach us at 1-855-4-THRIVE!
I am just starting out in private practice and the insurance panels seem daunting. If I sign up and pay for say a Humana credentialling and we cannot get it will i be credentialled instead for “bill’s house of health insurance” in lieu of Humana for my fee?
Hi Karen! I think I understand your question. Humana is usually an open panel, so we shouldn’t have any trouble getting you on. If for some reason we cannot then yes, we will of course get you credentialed with someone else! I would probably recommend blue cross before “bills house of insurance” though!!
LOL!
Most insurance companies tell me they will not credential LMHC’s. Is there somewhere I can find out which ones will without contacting all of them?
Will insurance companies pay for online or virtual therapy sessions?
Not generally. Sessions are supposed to be “in-person.” Sometimes exceptions are made, however!
I was wondering if insurance companies will pay for treatment if an expatriate receives services overseas by a licensed therapist in the states? For example, if I am licensed in Florida and I provide counseling services to an American overseas (where there are no credentials for counselors), can they bill their insurance company in the States for the services?
That’s a darn good question. I would think so, but you will want to get the sessions authorized before they are provided–just to make sure (ALWAYS get authorization before providing services).
I am looking to relocate to Florida from NY as a LMHC. I would like to start private practice and be able to bill but I am not sure how to go about it. Any thoughts?
Sure Jason, We have a lot of articles on this site, and on http://thriveworks.com. You can also call us anytime, and we’d be happy to brainstorm a plan with you!
Keep me posted. Hope this gets approved soon. How can I help? Dian B.
Can a LMHC be credentialed in New York?
Yes!
Any updates as to if LPC’s will be able to bill Medicare any time soon?
Nothing yet!
Does anyone have any concrete information about whether the new Congress and the re-election of President Obama might have an effect on getting LPCs, LMFTs and LMHCs on the Medicare panel to be able to bill directly?
What is the latest for LPC ‘s to be accepted by Medicare?
Nothing yet! Hopefully soon…
So we should still be writing our congressmen about this?
I’ve been following this discussion for about 2 years now and all I see is – “soon” – when will someone with some cajones put the pressure on our elected officials to get some action? I am starting to wonder if I made a bad choice taking the counselor route instead of social worker; at least they have a powerful lobby that has been able to get the job done.
Dovid, you are that person!
Go for it, I believe in you!
This last answer does not show much leadership from Thriveworks. Arrange, organize, hire experienced lobbyists. Invest on what you want to accomplish. Find out if it is possible. Don’t fight a battle like registering guns that will never be passed by Congress. Get the proper intelligence.
Javier,
Thank you for your comment. The major counseling associations like the ACA, AAMFT, and others have been working on this important issue. We want to be part of the solution too! However, We aren’t quite there in being able to hire lobbyists!
I have been following the discussion around LPCC’s (Ohio) being credentialed by Medicare for well over 2 years. I have 20+ years as a therapist, have extensive skill and post graduate training and certifications. I am on numerous insurance panels and yet cannot be considered as a Medicare provider because my professional associations have had limited success in lobbying congress to have counselors considered a Medicare provider. Pure baloney. I challenge all counselors who read this to flood calls to their congress man to put us on panels. I have to turn away Medicare patients who want to access my services because Medicare will not credential me….horse hockey and all that…….the string of emails coming out of this been going on for 2 years…thanks for reading this and we as counselors need to stand up and be noticed and let Medicare and congress know who we are!
Yes! Agreed 1000 Percent!!!
I also understand that legislation has been pending for some time and that a real barrier to passing the legislation that would enable counselors to bill is the fact that our assoications likely lack the amount of necessary lobbying to affect that bill in getting passed. A real shame that it would come down to lobbying…so I have contacted the local ohio counseling association as well as American Counseling association to lobby them and press them to use the fees I pay them to represent our agenda…please do the same with your local association…I am getting off my butt and really concerned about us being unfairly blocked from what rightfully is a nobrainer to be able to bill! So I will do my part and put my effort forward…will you????