Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under part B of the Medicare program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 2. Coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under part B (a) Coverage of Services (1) In general Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2) (A) in subparagraph (GG), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (HH), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (II) marriage and family therapist services (as defined in subsection (kkk)(1)) and mental health counselor services (as defined in subsection (kkk)(3)); . (2) Definitions Section 1861 of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395x (kkk) Marriage and Family Therapist Services; Marriage and Family Therapist; Mental Health Counselor Services; Mental Health Counselor (1) The term marriage and family therapist services (2) The term marriage and family therapist (A) possesses a master’s or doctoral degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a marriage and family therapist pursuant to State law; (B) after obtaining such degree has performed at least 2 years of clinical supervised experience in marriage and family therapy; and (C) in the case of an individual performing services in a State that provides for licensure or certification of marriage and family therapists, is licensed or certified as a marriage and family therapist in such State. (3) The term mental health counselor services (4) The term mental health counselor (A) possesses a master’s or doctor’s degree in mental health counseling or a related field; (B) after obtaining such a degree has performed at least 2 years of supervised mental health counselor practice; and (C) in the case of an individual performing services in a State that provides for licensure or certification of mental health counselors or professional counselors, is licensed or certified as a mental health counselor or professional counselor in such State. . (3) Provision for payment under part B Section 1832(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395k(a)(2)(B) (v) marriage and family therapist services (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(1)) and mental health counselor services (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(3)); . (4) Amount of payment Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395 l (A) by striking and (CC) (CC) (B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , and (DD) with respect to marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under section 1861(s)(2)(II), the amounts paid shall be 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge for the services or 75 percent of the amount determined for payment of a psychologist under subparagraph (L) (5) Exclusion of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services from skilled nursing facility prospective payment system Section 1888(e)(2)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395yy(e)(2)(A)(ii) marriage and family therapist services (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(1)), mental health counselor services (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(3)), qualified psychologist services, (6) Inclusion of marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as practitioners for assignment of claims Section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)(C) (vii) A marriage and family therapist (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(2)). (viii) A mental health counselor (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(4)). . (b) Coverage of Certain Mental Health Services Provided in Certain Settings (1) Rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers Section 1861(aa)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(1)(B) or by a clinical social worker (as defined in subsection (hh)(1)) , by a clinical social worker (as defined in subsection (hh)(1)), by a marriage and family therapist (as defined in subsection (kkk)(2)), or by a mental health counselor (as defined in subsection (kkk)(4)) (2) Hospice programs Section 1861(dd)(2)(B)(i)(III) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395x(dd)(2)(B)(i)(III) , marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor social worker (c) Authorization of marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors To develop discharge plans for post-Hospital services Section 1861(ee)(2)(G) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395x(ee)(2)(G) , including a marriage and family therapist and a mental health counselor who meets qualification standards established by the Secretary (d) Effective Date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to services furnished on or after January 1, 2020.

Summary: Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 This bill provides for coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare. It also excludes such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system, and authorizes marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.