The legislation would increase Medicare reimbursement rates for clinical social workers (CSWs), marriage and family therapists (MFTs), and mental health counselors (MHCs) from 75 percent to 85 percent of the Physician Fee Schedule amount for covered mental health services.
Increase Medicare reimbursement rates for clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors from 75 percent to 85 percent of the Physician Fee Schedule for covered mental health services.
Occurrences
Evidence
Three separate health-focused bills championed and supported by Tonko advance out of House Committee
Assessments
Primary federal law does not show the promised reimbursement increase was delivered. Public Law 117-328, enacted December 29, 2022, added Medicare Part B coverage for marriage and family therapist and mental health counselor services effective January 1, 2024, but set payment at 75 percent of the psychologist rate, not 85 percent. The Social Security Act also continues to state that clinical social worker services are paid at 75 percent of the psychologist rate. The provided 2026 Tonko evidence shows he remained active on health legislation, but not on this specific reimbursement change. Because the record does not show the promised 75-to-85 percent increase was enacted or materially completed by Tonko, the promise remains outstanding rather than fulfilled.