Bill > S562

This bill, titled the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2013, aims to expand Medicare coverage under Part B, which covers outpatient services, to include services provided by marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. It defines these professionals as individuals with master's or doctoral degrees, at least two years of supervised clinical experience, and proper state licensure or certification, who diagnose and treat mental illnesses. The bill specifies that these services would be covered if they would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, and payment would be 80 percent of the actual charge or 75 percent of the amount paid to a psychologist, whichever is less. Additionally, it clarifies that these professionals can be recognized for assigning claims and can develop discharge plans for post-hospital services, and these changes would take effect for services provided on or after January 1, 2014.