summary
Introduced
03/13/2019
03/13/2019
In Committee
03/13/2019
03/13/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program. This bill increases the Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical social worker services. The bill excludes clinical social worker services from the prospective payment system in which predetermined amounts form the basis for payment under Medicare. Additionally, the bill alters the definition of clinical social worker services as it relates to Medicare. Under current law, such services (1) include services performed for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, and (2) exclude services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility as a condition of the facility's participation in the Medicare program. The bill repeals these provisions and instead specifies that such services include certain types of health behavior assessment and intervention.
AI Summary
This bill aims to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program. It does so by:
1) Increasing the Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical social worker services from 75% to 85% of the fee schedule amount.
2) Allowing clinical social worker services provided to residents of skilled nursing facilities to be covered under Medicare, rather than excluding them as is currently the case.
3) Expanding the definition of covered clinical social worker services to include not just those for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, but also services for health and behavior assessment and intervention.
The bill's provisions are set to take effect for items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2020.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (on 03/13/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/782/all-info | 03/14/2019 |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s782/BILLS-116s782is.pdf | 03/31/2019 |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s782/BILLS-116s782is.pdf.pdf | 03/31/2019 |
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