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E-News from Washington March 22 , 2002 Vol. 02-07

Companion Bill to S. 1760, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives

AMHCA members have much to celebrate with the recent introduction of a House companion bill to S. 1760, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act. H.R. 3899, introduced by Reps. Brad Carson (D-OK) and Jo Ann Emerson (D-MO) and also called the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, would allow mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to independently bill Medicare for services provided to beneficiaries.

The Carson-Emerson legislation continues to open new doors on the Medicare reimbursement issue. AMHCA and ACA continue to work alongside other mental health provider and advocacy associations in support of the "Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2001" (S. 690/H.R. 1522), introduced by Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) and Representative Pete Stark (D-CA). This legislation includes a range of mental health benefit changes for Medicare, including the addition of mental health counselors as providers for the program. The "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2001", given its tight focus on provider coverage, is expected to be significantly less expensive than S. 690/H.R. 1522, and may therefore be more palatable to members of Congress.

AMHCA members and others interested in this issue are strongly encouraged to call and write their Representative to ask them to cosponsor H.R. 3899, the House version of the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act". The more cosponsors on this legislation, the better our chances of getting it attached to Medicare legislation moving through Congress. All House offices can be reached by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A sample letter to your Representative is included in the body of this e-mail, and also as an attachment. AMHCA needs your assistance - participate for your future and for your profession.

For more information please contact Beth Powell at the following e-mail and address below:

Beth Powell
Director, Public Policy and Professional Issues
American Mental Health Counselors Association
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 304
Alexandria, VA  22314
703-548-6002, ext. 105
800-326-2642, ext. 105

Sample letter text on H.R. 3899, the Seniors Mental Health Access
Improvement Act

Date

The Honorable (first and last name)

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC  20515

Dear Representative (last name):

I am writing to express my strong support for H.R. 3899, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation to expand access to mental health providers in the Medicare program. As a mental health counselor and a constituent, I want to convey to you the importance of this legislation to mental health counselors in (name of your state) and to Medicare's 39 million beneficiaries.

Advances in the treatment of mental illness, whether from scientific evidence or the development of more effective medications, have dramatically changed our understanding of these disorders. Yet, Medicare's mental health benefit has remained virtually unchanged since it was enacted by Congress in 1965. Improvements in Medicare's mental health benefit are long overdue.

Mental health counselors – sometimes called Licensed Professional Counselors – are mental health professionals with a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or related discipline who provide services along a continuum of care. Currently, 45 states and the District of Columbia license or certify mental health counselors to independently provide mental health services, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.

As you may know, Medicare currently covers the services of 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 providers. Specifically, H.R. 3899 corrects this inequity by including mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists among the list of providers who can deliver mental health services, provided they are legally authorized to perform the services under state law. Enactment of this provision would increase access to and the availability of mental health services to Medicare beneficiaries, particularly for those seniors who reside in rural and underserved areas. The inclusion of mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists in the program would also afford beneficiaries choice among qualified providers.

If you would like to cosponsor the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, please contact the office of Rep. Brad Carson at 202-225-2701 or Rep. Jo Ann Emerson at 202-225-4404.

Thank you for considering my views on this issue. If you need additional information about mental health counselors, please feel free to contact Beth Powell, Director of Public Policy and Professional Issues at the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), at 703-546-6002, ext. 105. I look forward to your favorable reply.

Sincerely,

Your name (and credentials)