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Medicare Releases Medicare Physician Fee Schedule RuleCounselors Can Enroll Now in the Medicare Program
 On November 2, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2024 Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule (CY 2024 PFS Final Rule) that describes the processes and procedures in regard to the implementation of Medicare Part B Coverage for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs).


Final Rule: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-24184.pdf


The Final Rule allows marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors to enroll for the first time in Medicare and bill for their services starting January 1, 2024.


Individuals who meet the MFT or MHC eligibility requirements embodied in the Final Rule will be able to enroll in Medicare via the Form CMS-855I application (Medicare Enrollment Application – Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners; OMB No. 0938-1355) and can begin submitting their enrollment applications today.


Form 855I Application: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/cms-forms/cms-forms/downloads/cms855i.pdf


However, as the new benefit categories do not take effect until January 1, 2024, MFT or MHC claims for services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries with dates of service prior to January 1, 2024, will not be payable.


MFTs and MHCs can visit: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/enrollment-renewal/providers-suppliers/chain-ownership-system-pecos for basic information on the provider enrollment process.


More information and resources can be found at https://www.amhca.org/advocacy/medicare
**This information was provided by AMHCA. Thank you for the information provided to counselors! 

​www.axios.com/2023/12/20/medicare-mental-health-providers-therapists-couselors

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See the below:
​Connecticut Medical Assistance Program Provider Bulletin 2023-18
 Policy Transmittal 2023-03 March 2023
___________________________________________
 Andrea Barton Reeves, J.D, Commissioner-Designate
​Effective Date: May 12, 2023 

​As you may already know, Connecticut has enacted a law requiring all licensed healthcare providers to participate in Connecticut’s Health Exchange Information (HIE), called Connie. Connie was established by statute to create a way for health care providers to electronically share information. The initial requirement is to file a “Commitment to Connect” with Connie by May 3rd, 2023. Further information and the online Commitment to Connect form are available on the Connie website.  

Significant concerns exist within the mental health provider community regarding Connie and issues of client consent and confidentiality. We understand that these concerns and others have been brought to the attention of the Office of Health Strategy on several occasions.

On March 2, CCA co-signed in a collaborative, interdisciplinary letter to the Governor and the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) expressing some of these concerns and requesting an extension of the May 3 deadline. The OHS March 27 response indicates the May 3 deadline is unchangeable without legislative action. While efforts are underway to seek a possible legislative extension, as of the issuance of this update, the May 3 deadline is expected to remain in effect. We will keep you apprised as quickly as possible about these efforts, which continue to develop. To view the letters, see below documents. 

More information can be found in this presentation provided to the Behavioral Health Partnership- PowerPoint Presentation and the Connie FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions Connecting People for Better Health.

If you are interested in working with CCA regarding Connie compliance issues we would love to have you join our efforts. Please contact PPLC Co-Chairs - Karen Caffrey at [email protected] or Jocelyn Novella at  [email protected]