Medicare Cut to Psychotherapy Reimbursement - 2-17-12

     Despite an outstanding response from CSWA members in the past two days, Congress voted to eliminate the "Psychotherapy Extender" - a cut of 5% for Medicare reimbursement of psychotherapy services.  The decrease will go into effect on March 1, 2012.

     The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) first advocated for a decrease in Medicare psychotherapy payment rates as part of its Five-Year Review in 2006. Clinical social workers and psychologists worked together to defeat the proposed cut four times in the past six years.

     Though this is unwelcome news, the proposed 27.4% cut to all Medicare services was struck down.  CSWA continues to advocate for change to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula upon which the cut is based.

     Thanks for your prompt responses.  CSWA will continue to work for fair reimbursement for psychotherapy provided by clinical social workers.
 

Despite an outstanding response from CSWA members in the past two days, Congress today voted to eliminate the "Psychotherapy Extender", a cut of 5% for Medicare reimbursement of psychotherapy services.  The decrease will go into effect on March 1, 2012.

       The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) first advocated for a decrease in Medicare psychotherapy payment rates as part of its Five-Year Review in 2006. Clinical social workers and psychologists worked together to defeat the proposed cut four times in the past six years.

       Though this is unwelcome news, the proposed 27.4% cut to all Medicare services was struck down.  CSWA continues to advocate for change to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula upon which the cut is based.

      
 
 
 
      Thanks for your prompt responses.  CSWA will continue to work for fair reimbursement for psychotherapy provided by clinical social workers.
 

Laura Groshong, LICSW, Director, Government Relations