ACA Endorses Bill to Raise Medicare Reimbursement for Counselors

On March 25, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the bipartisan Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act. This bill would increase Medicare reimbursement rates for marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors and clinical social workers from 75 percent to 85 percent of the Physician Fee Schedule for covered mental health services.

ACA CEO Brain D. Banks states, “The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act represents a critical step forward. Increasing reimbursement rates would provide much-needed support to the provider workforce, ensuring they are fairly compensated for the essential, life-changing work they do every day. These providers play a vital role in expanding access to mental health care, and investing in them is an investment in healthier communities.”

ACA is proud to endorse the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act and advocate for fair counselor compensation.

If you have any questions or would like to become more involved in ACA’s advocacy, contact us at advocacy@counseling.org.