News to highlight!
NASW-PACE Endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for President
Aug 02, 2024
The National Association of Social Workers Political Action for Candidate Election (NASW-PACE) has unanimously endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 47th President of the United States.
“Vice President Harris is a shining example of America's promise. Her presidential bid is historic in many ways, and it's clear that she is the most qualified person in the race. She is a proven champion for the people, and the lives of social workers and those we serve will be better under her leadership. I am confident that Vice President Harris will continue to invest in mental health and lead the nation through our current mental health crisis," said NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C. Read more Here:https://www.socialworkers.org/News/News-Releases/ID/2923/NASW-PACE-Endorses-Vice-President-Kamala-Harris-for-President
The US Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 against Chevron deference, the doctrine under which courts deferred to federal agencies' interpretations of ambiguous laws. Regulations related to payment rates for Medicaid and Medicare, in addition to how mental health services are covered by insurance, may be affected since interpretation of legislation by federal agencies may now be subject to decisions by lower courts. Full Story: Behavioral Health Business (6/28), CBS News (6/28)
(Important) Optum/United Healthcare Issuing Overpayment Notices to Providers: Important Information and Steps to Take
Optum/United Healthcare is in the process of sending out overpayment notices to clinical social workers. These notices inform providers of overpayments made by Optum/United Healthcare and request reimbursement.
Overpayment recovery, commonly referred to as "clawbacks," is a complex issue and regulations vary significantly from state to state. (Information on specific state laws may be found on the Crossroads Health website. NASW makes no representations as to the accuracy of the information contained on this website. Social workers are encouraged to look up the relevant state statute to find the most up-to-date information.) Impacted social workers may also want to consult an attorney to understand their rights and responsibilities. Read more here: https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Legal-Defense-Fund/Optum-United-Healthcare-Issuing-Overpayment-Notices-to-Providers-Important-Information-and-Steps-to-Take
Payment of Health Behavior Assessment and Intervention Services Approved for Clinical Social Workers
Mirean Coleman, LICSW, CT Director of Clinical Practice
On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the 2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule. NASW is happy to inform its members that the final rule reported that clinical social workers, beginning January 1, 2024, will be reimbursed for Health Behavior Assessment and Intervention Services (HBAI) performed. These services are used to identify the psychological, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and social factors included in the treatment of physical health problems. The services are reported by using procedural billing codes 96156, 96158, 96159, 96164, 96165, 96167, and 96168. Allowing clinical social workers to receive reimbursement for these services will permit better integration of physical and behavioral health care. Since the inception of these codes in 2003, NASW has been advocating for clinical social work reimbursement of these services to CMS and through federal legislation. Read more here: https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Tips-and-Tools-for-Social-Workers/Payment-of-Health-Behavior-Assessment-and-Intervention-Services-Approved-for-Clinical-Social-Workers
NASW member voices: Supreme Courts ends Affirmative Action. what are the implications?
by Mel Wilson, LCSW, MBA
The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on June 29 made a ruling on affirmative action that will have profound and long-term implications for the country. With a 6-3 majority decision, SCOTUS declared in Students for Fair Admission Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection. more directly, the ruling forbids all colleges and universities in the United States from taking race into consideration when admitting students. Read the full statement here