Congratulations to the Michigan Division on successfully persuading the state Medicaid agency to enroll LMFTs as Medicaid providers. In October 2015, the Division announced that the Medicaid agency would start enrolling MFTs as direct service providers effective in 2016. In February, the department announced its proposed policy change that would include LMFTs as Medicaid providers, effective July 2016. AAMFT submitted comments to the department in support of this proposed policy change. On June 2, AAMFT received a notice from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that LMFTs will be able to enroll as Medicaid providers, effective July 1, 2016.
In a letter to Michigan members, President John A. Becker said:
The board of the Michigan Division of AAMFT is pleased to announce Medicaid Inclusion. In order to provide greater access to care for behavioral health services, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will begin enrolling marriage and family therapists as Medicaid providers, enabling them to be directly reimbursed by Medicaid for behavioral health services provided to beneficiaries. As of July 1, 2016, fully-licensed marriage and family therapists will no longer bill for rendered services under their delegating/supervising physician’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) and must be uniquely identified on all claims.
Please note this advancement of our profession, particularly to state organizations, community mental health organizations, clinics, physicians, psychiatrists, and private practice marriage and family therapist.
Thank you to all members who invested into this advancement.
Join AAMFT's network of advocates to advance policy interests of the profession through the Family TEAM.