Beginning January 1, 2024 the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CCA, 2023) establishes a new Medicare benefit category for mental health services. As early as Q4 2023, qualified MFT and MHC practitioners can begin enrolling in the Medicare program. The effective date for these new provider types will be no sooner than January 1, 2024.
There are some requirements for these clinicians to qualify for enrollment in the Medicare program.
CCA, 2023 defines MFT services as services for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses (other than services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital). An MFT is an individual who:
- Possesses a master’s or doctorate degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a MFT under State law of the State in which such individual furnishes marriage and family therapist services,
- Is licensed or certified as an MFT by the State in which they furnish services,
- Has performed at least 2 years of clinical supervised experience in marriage and family therapy or mental health counseling after obtaining the degree referenced above, and
- Meets other requirements as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines appropriate.
CAA, 2023, defines MHC services as services for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses (other than services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital). An MHC is an individual who:
- Possesses a master’s or doctorate degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a MHC, clinical professional counselor, or professional counselor under State law of the State in which such individual furnishes MHC service,
- Is licensed or certified as an MHC, clinical professional counselor, or professional counselor by the State in which they furnish services,
- Has performed at least 2 years of clinical supervised experience in marriage and family therapy or mental health counseling after obtaining the degree referenced above, and
- Meets other requirements as the Secretary of HHS determines appropriate.
Enrollment in the Medicare program requires selecting an appropriate taxonomy code. The MFT taxonomy code is 106H00000X. The MHC taxonomy code is 101YM0800X.
To enroll in the Medicare program, practitioners will use the CMS-855I enrollment application or the online enrollment system Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS). Practitioners use their CMS Identity & Access Management System (I&A) to work within the PECOS enrollment application.
See official documentation from CMS at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/marriage-and-family-therapists-and-mental-health-counselors-faq-09052023.pdf
For qualified practitioners who desire to enroll with the Medicare program, nCred can help make the process painless. Our credentialing professionals are well experienced with enrolling in Medicare and can handle the enrollment application on your behalf. Give us a call today at 423.443.4525 or fill our our request for information form and someone will reach out to you.
