Articles
Medicaid reimbursement benefits post-grads and patients
By Phyllis Hanlon
After several years of advocacy, New Hampshire has changed its Medicaid reimbursement policy to include coverage for psychological services provided by post-graduate residents enrolled in the licensure process and working under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. This policy change is expected to benefit psychology residents, mental health centers, and the patients they serve.
Bethann Clauss, LICSW, executive director of Maps Counseling Services in Keene, New Hampshire, explained that the new Medicaid reimbursement policy will allow private mental health centers like hers to increase capacity to meet client needs.
She pointed out that the state has had a workforce shortage for some time, but private mental health centers have historically been able to hire only licensed clinicians; individuals working to complete requirements for a professional license did not qualify for Medicaid reimbursement.…
MPA seeks better care, quality, and coverage in 2021-2022 legislative session
By Eileen Weber
The Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA) highlighted three specific aspects of mental health to be focused on during the 2021-2022 legislative session: access to care, quality and continuity of care, and consumer and professional protections.
These focal points are further broken down into other topics needing attention:
- ensuring health plans are meeting current mental health parity requirements;
- standardizing insurance cards to show whether the plan is state or privately funded; and
- allowing coverage for providers for treatment, not just testing and assessment.
Jennifer Warkentin, Ph.D, MPA’s director of professional affairs and a psychologist with her own private practice, noted that the organization has been designating a specific legislative agenda since 2017.…