Medicare and Professional Counselors
Additional Medicare Resources:
Innovations in Telehealth and Digital Mental Health for Older Adults
Published: February 5, 2026
This webinar features presenters Drs. Matthew Fullen and Michael Jones. Learn how to adapt clinical assessment and intervention techniques for effective mental health care delivery via video platforms, with an emphasis on Medicare beneficiaries. This webinar recording is not eligible for continuing education.
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Grief and Loss: An Active Approach for Older Adults
Published: September 25, 2025
Grief looks different for everyone, and seeking help to process loss can be crucial for many individuals. Codirector of Rush University's E4 Center of Excellence Dr. Erin Emery-Tiburcio discusses evidence-based treatments for clinicians and how to describe the tasks of grieving. The webinar also features additional clinical responses to the presentation from panelists Dr. Kailey Bradley and Dr. Froma Walsh.
Substance Misuse in Older Adults: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions for Improved Care
Published: July 10, 2025
Prepare to support older adults in a clinical setting by watching the webinar “Substance Misuse in Older Adults: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions for Improved Care.” Dr. Frederic C. Blow shares current trends and risk factors as well as screening tools and how to apply them. This webinar also features panelists Phillip Clarke, PhD, LCMHC, and William F. Northey, Jr., PhD, LMFT.
Late-Life Suicide Prevention: From Assessment to Intervention
Published: April 3, 2025
Older adults are one of the highest-risk age groups for suicide completion. In this recorded webinar, you'll learn about the epidemiology of suicide in later life, assessment tools to assess suicide risk in later life, and promising intervention approaches. This webinar features Kimberly A. Van Orden, PhD; Jordan B. Westcott, PhD, NCC; and Katherine M. Hertlein, PhD, LMFT.
The Year in Review and What's Ahead: Counselors and MFTs in Medicare
Published: November 14, 2024
2024 marks the first year mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists qualify as providers under Medicare. Learn about the first-year results of the new coverage, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) strategy to improve mental health care, and how to enroll as a Medicare provider. This insightful webinar features Doug Jacobs, MD, MPH, Chief Transformation Officer at CMS.
Engagement Opportunities for County Behavioral Health Directors With MHCs and MFTs Under Medicare
Published: October 10, 2024
Representatives from the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and National Board for Certified Counselors discuss ways for mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to engage with County Behavioral Health Directors to expand workforce and access for communities.
Counseling Older Adults: Utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Promote Well-Being
Published: September 26, 2024
In this webinar,counselor educator, researcher, and advocate, Matthew Fullen, PhD, MDiv, LPCC (OH), reviews transtheoretical treatment considerations related to working with older adults, followed by a deeper dive into utilizing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for this population.
Making Informed Decisions Before Submitting Claims to Medicare
Published: July 25, 2024
In this webinar, Stephanie Portzline and Amy Ascher, CPC, CEMC, cover best practices for information validation before billing and requirements related to coding, billing, documentation, patient privacy, fraud prevention, and more.
Normal Cognitive Aging and Dementia: What Counselors and MFTs Need to Know
Published: June 20, 2024
During this webinar, presenter Dr. Suzanne Musil, a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, explains how to recognize normal and abnormal cognitive change and how clinicians can apply this knowledge in their care of older adults.
New Medicare Advantage Plan Engagement Opportunities for Counselors and MFTs:
Published: April 18, 2024
In this webinar, presenters from Better Medicare Alliance and Carelon Behavioral Health share information about the role that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans play for Medicare beneficiaries and opportunities for behavioral health practitioners to enroll in MA insurance panels.
The Process of Working With Older Adults in Psychotherapy:
Published: March 21, 2024
The MMHWC in collaboration with the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging present information that examines more closely the effective management of counseling older adults as it relates to having an awareness of our own ideas about aging, recognition of what elements of normal aging may impact the therapy process, and strategies to manage these elements.
Older Adult Mental Health 101:
Published: March 20, 2024
The MMHWC in collaboration with the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging provide an overview of older adult mental health to help clinicians gain a better understanding of the unique ways that mental health disorders can present in older adults, identify barriers to diagnosis and treatment, and employ evidence-based assessments and treatments.
The Role of Medicare Administrative Contractors: Enrollment to Payment:
Published: February 1, 2024
Representatives from Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) explain the MACs’ responsibilities and how they interact with Medicare-enrolled mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists including enrollment, claims processing, payment, and other procedures.
Medicare 601:
Published: November 17, 2023
Representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the law firm of Weintraub Tobin review the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, provide step-by-step enrollment procedures, and answer frequently asked questions related to enrollment and opt-out procedures for mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists.
Medicare 501:
Published: October 5, 2023
The MMHWC and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing come together to explore the primary roles that community behavioral health centers play in providing mental health and substance use services to improve quality of life for older adults with mental health conditions and the skills and experience of MFTs and counselors and how they can address the needs of county behavioral health directors in serving Medicare beneficiaries with mental health conditions.
Medicare 401:
Published: August 17, 2023
Specialists from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the law firm of Weintraub Tobin, and the Government Affairs Department at NBCC discuss the proposed rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and answer questions previously submitted by practitioners from across the country.
Medicare 301:
Published: June 29, 2023
Experts from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the law firm of Weintraub Tobin discuss the implementation features of the Medicare Part B coverage of counselors and marriage and family therapists, as well as the implications for providers. This webinar covers an overview of the major steps providers will need to take to enroll in the traditional Medicare fee-for-service program.
Medicare 201:
Published: May 5, 2023
Panelists from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provide an inside look at the process leading up to provider registration. This webinar covers the new regulatory process for implementing Medicare Part B coverage.
Medicare 101:
Published: April 21, 2023
Policy experts and staff from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) present an introduction to the Medicare program for counselors and marriage and family therapists. This webinar covers key components of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act and its implications for counselors.
After more than a decade of working to secure Medicare coverage for counselors’ services, NBCC, the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition, and counselors across the country can celebrate the passing of the omnibus package, which achieved our goal! The package, which includes language from the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828/H.R. 432) that expands coverage of mental health counselors (MHCs) and marriage and family therapists (MFTs) under Medicare Part B, was signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 29, 2022.
Coverage of MHCs and MFTs under Part B of the Medicare program will begin Jan. 1, 2024. Medicare is the largest health care program in the country, covering more than 55 million people. It currently recognizes psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurses for outpatient mental health services, and now counselors and MFTs will be added to the list. Because Medicare is the country’s flagship health care program, counselor inclusion is key to ensuring parity with other professions.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will now develop specific rules on how counselors can apply for provider status, receive a Provider ID number, and bill for services. The rules will be developed in 2023 ahead of the Jan.1, 2024, implementation.
The NBCC Government Affairs team will work in conjunction with CMS to develop these rules and inform counselors about the enrollment process.
Legislative Information:
Latest Developments
2022
On Dec. 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 2617) was signed into law by President Biden after a bipartisan vote of approval in both of the United States legislative chambers. Included in the omnibus package is language from the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828/H.R. 432), which has added mental health counselors to the list of Medicare providers. Coverage of counselors will begin Jan. 1, 2024.
2021
S. 828/H.R. 432, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2021, is introduced by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-5), and Rep. John Katko (R-NY-24).
2020
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce reports S. 286/H.R. 945 favorably out of a markup, the first time the legislation has been included in a markup in 11 years.
2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issues a temporary emergency rule that allows mental health counselors working in Rural Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers to be reimbursed by Medicare for telehealth services.
2020
S. 286/H.R. 945 gains 123 cosponsors in the House and 31cosponsors in the Senate, the most in the bill's history.
2019
S. 286/H.R. 945, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019, is introduced by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-5), and Rep. John Katko (R-NY-24).
2017
The President's Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC), an advisory body composed of federal officials and behavioral health experts, recommended inclusion of counselors in the Medicare program. please feel free to download and read the full report .
2017
U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduce S. 1879, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2017, seeking to establish mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists as authorized Medicare providers.
2017
U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduce H.R. 3032, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2017, seeking to establish mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists as authorized Medicare providers.
2016
Representative Chris Gibson (R-NY) , Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and counselor/MFT organizations pushed to include Medicare legislation in the pending mental health reform package.
2016
Retiring Representative Chris Gibson (R‐NY) made it a priority to pass H.R. 2759 and added 10 Republican cosponsors to the bill (the most House Republicans ever), raising the total to 50 cosponsors.
2016
Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) introduced H.R. 5475, the Health Equity and Accountability Act. H.R. 5475 was sponsored by the House Tri-Caucus and addresses health disparities for minority populations.
2015
Senators John Barrasso (R‐WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D‐MI) introduced the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S 1830), a companion Bill to H.R. 2759.
2015
Congressmen Chris Gibson (R‐NY) and Mike Thompson (D‐CA) introduced H.R. 2759, The Mental Health Improvement Act of 2015. The bill provides Medicare reimbursement for counselors and MFTs, mirroring bills introduced in prior sessions.
Legislative Highlights
2021-2022 - 117th Congress
On Dec. 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2617) was signed into law by President Biden after a bipartisan vote of approval in both of the United States legislative chambers. Included in the omnibus package is language from the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828/H.R. 432) adding mental health counselors as providers. Coverage of counselors will begin Jan. 1, 2024.
2016-2017 - 115th Congress
Congressmen John Katko (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced H.R. 3032, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act, on June 23. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced a companion bill in the Senate, S.1879, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, on September 27.
2015-2016 - 114th Congress
Companion stand-alone bills S. 1830, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2015, and H.R. 2759, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act, are introduced by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Reps. Chris Gibson (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA). The House TriCaucus health disparities bill, H.R. 5475, is introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL).
2013-2014 - 113th Congress
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduces stand-alone bill S. 604, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2011. The MHC and MFT language is also included in S. 1680, the Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2011, introduced by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Tom Harkin (D-IA).
2011-2012 - 112th Congress
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduces stand-alone bill S. 604, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2011. The MHC and MFT language is also included in S. 1680, the Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2011, introduced by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Tom Harkin (D-IA).
2009-2010 - 111th Congress
The provision is re-introduced in companion stand-alone bills S. 671 and H.R. 1693 by Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and John Barrasso (R-WY) and Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). The provision is included in H.R. 3200, the House reform legislation that passed the Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor Committees. The language passes the House as part of the health reform bill (H.R. 3962). The provision was reportedly in the final House-Senate compromise legislation until the election of Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) changed the Senate balance.
2007-2008 - 110th Congress
Companion stand-alone bills S. 921 and H.R. 1588 are introduced by Sens. Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY). Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) includes the MHC and MFT language in his omnibus Medicare mental health bill (H.R. 1663). The provision passes the House as part of the SCHIP Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3162). The Senate declines to consider the SCHIP bill.
2005-2006 - 109th Congress
In addition to companion bills S. 784 and H.R. 5324, introduced by Sens. Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY), the MHC and MFT provision is again included in the omnibus Medicare mental health bill (S. 927 and H.R. 1946) and the Medicare rural access bills (S. 3500 and H.R. 6030). The provision passes the Senate as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (S. 1932) but does not make it through conference.
2003-2004 - 108th Congress
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) introduces S. 310 as a stand-alone bill. The language is also included in the omnibus Medicare mental health bill (S. 646) and the omnibus Medicare rural access bill (S. 1185 and H.R. 2333). In 2003, the provision passes the Senate in the Medicare prescription drug bill (S. 1) but is not accepted during conference.
2001-2002 - 107th Congress
The provision to provide reimbursement for MHCs and MFTs in the Medicare program is introduced as stand-alone bill S.1760 by Sens. Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). The companion bill, H.R. 3899, is subsequently introduced on the House side by Rep. Brad Carson (D-OK). The same provision is additionally included in an omnibus Medicare mental health bill (S. 690 and H.R. 1522), but does not make it out of committee.
NBCC is proud to be a member of the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition
Through the collaborative efforts of the coalition, we have achieved counselor inclusion in the Medicare program. Other members of the coalition are:
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness
American Counseling Association
American Mental Health Counselors Association
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Centerstone
Center for Medicare Advocacy
The Jewish Federations of North America
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
National Association of Community Health Centers
National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors
National Association for Rural Mental Health
National Council on Aging
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies