September 19, 2023
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that, as directed in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, a new Medicare benefit category will be established for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) for services furnished and directly billed by MFTs and MHCs. Payment for MFT and MHC services under Part B of the Medicare program will begin January 1, 2024.
MFTs and MHCs will be able to begin submitting their Medicare enrollment applications after the Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule is displayed in the Federal Register, which CMS estimates to be around November 1, 2023. However, as the new benefits do not take effect until January 1, 2024, MFTs and MHCs will not be granted an effective date earlier than January 1, 2024, and claims with service dates prior to January 1, 2024 will not be payable.
MFTs and MHCs must enroll in Medicare to submit claims and get paid for covered services.
Click here to apply to become a Medicare provider and for more information from CMS, and click here to access a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on this.
