• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Integrated Care News

Integrated Care News

Powered by CFHA - News and media for professionals in integrated healthcare

  • Home
  • News
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • About
  • Map
  • Newsletter
  • CFHA

Medicare Mental Health Workforce: Adding LMFTs and LMHCs

June 24, 2022 by Matthew P. Martin Leave a Comment

In January 2021, Representative Mike Thompson introduced the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2021 (H.R. 432) that, among other things, would authorize Medicare payment for covered mental health and substance use services provided by licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) and licensed mental health counselors (LMHC.

The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Health in February 2021 where it has languished. However, recently, for the first time ever, the President’s budget recommended MFTs and MHCs be included as Medicare-eligible providers. This is a significant development and makes it more likely that some Members of Congress will agree to cosponsor the bill.

LMFTs and LHMCs currently make up approximately 40% of mental health service providers in the country, yet unlike psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers, they are not covered providers under Medicare. Integrated care programs are more accessible by patients and financially sustainable when managers can choose from a wide variety of providers to hire.

As the groundswell of seniors continues in society, the demand for medical and mental health services will grow. In 2021, 15% of Americans were 65 or older; that number will reach 20% by 2050. Workforce projection models suggest the demand for mental health providers will increase anywhere from 12 to 15%.

If you are interested in supporting this bill, please call or email your representative today and let them hear your support for this bill. Check here for more information.

Share this Article:

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Email

Category iconIntegrated Care News Tag iconAdvocacy,  workforce,  policy

Next Article: Back to the Future: How Integrated Care Fits with Hippocratic Medicine
Previous Article: The Current State of Integrated Care
Matthew P. Martin

About Matthew P. Martin

Matt Martin, PhD, LMFT, CSSBB is Clinical Associate Professor of Integrated Healthcare at Arizona State University where he teaches courses on process engineering, healthcare systems, and integrated behavioral health. Research interests include integrated care measurement, medical workforce development, and population health strategies in primary care. He is the current blog editor for CFHA and always looking for new writers.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Contact

Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA)
11312 US 15-501 N.
Suite 107-154
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
info@CFHA.net

Key Contributors

Neftali Serrano, PsyD, CEO
Matt Martin, PhD, LMFT, Blog Editor
Leiana Edwards, Social Media
David Bauman, PsyD, Vlog Contributor
Grace Pratt, LMFT, Podcast Editor

What We Do

CFHA is a member-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making integrated behavioral and physical health the standard of care nationally. CFHA achieves this by organizing the integrated care community, providing expert technical assistance and producing educational content.

Join Today

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA)

All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design