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E-News from Washington August 27, 2003 Vol. 03-23
IBM INCLUDES LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS ON PROVIDER PANELS

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) recently received news from the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) that the company would include licensed professional counselors (LPCs) as eligible providers under its health plans, beginning in 2004. The company, 8th on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. companies, employs more than 315,000 people in the United States.

Saroj Chand, chair of AMHCA's Professional Issues Committee, initially contacted IBM in late 2002 concerning the company's failure to recognize the LPC credential. Juan Prieto, IBM Health Benefits Manager, requested information on the credential for LPCs, including education, experiences and supervision requirements. The decision reached was a result of the combined efforts of Chand, Prieto and the AMHCA national office.

IBM has long been praised for its generous health benefits, including those for mental health and substance abuse. Employees are given the option of three IBM health plans, as well as various Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). IBM also offers their employees an employee assistance benefit (EAP) in addition to mental health benefits. United Behavioral Health (UBH) manages the mental health benefits for IBM. According to Prieto, any LPC who is a current UBH network provider will automatically be eligible to provide services to IBM employees. Others interested in joining the network should contact UBH at http://www.ubhonline.com/. Stayed tuned to updates in the Advocate on this issue. 

Beth Powell -- American Mental Health Counselors Association --
www.amhca.org; 
800-326-2642, x105; 
bpowell@amhca.org