On March 25, Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced the bipartisan Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act (S. 4202) to support Medicare mental health providers and strengthen access to mental health care services.

The Act would increase Medicare reimbursement rates for MFTs, MHCs, and CSWs from 75 percent to 85 percent of the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) amount for covered mental health services. A companion bill, H.R. 8081, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.).

In addition to CAMFT and members of the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition (MMHWC), the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) has endorsed this legislation to improve pay equity and support the long-term sustainability of Medicare’s mental health program. The MHLG is a non-profit coalition of more than 100 national organizations dedicated to improving access to mental health and substance use care in the United States. 

We are asking members to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives and urge them to support this important legislation.

A message to your U.S. Senators and Representative has already been drafted. You may send it as written or personalize it to explain why this legislation matters to you.