On the minds of many NASW members is the totally
understandable (and perhaps not so polite) question:
"What Is NASW Doing to
Raise Reimbursement Rates from Insurers
and Salaries from
Employers?"
I say thank you for asking! The Chapter is committed to acting on several fronts to
improve rates:
1. On the federal level, the Massachusetts Chapter is
leading the way with the executive directors of other NASW Chapters across
the country to work with National NASW on lobbying CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to raise the reimbursement rates for clinical services to 100% of
what psychologists and psychiatrists receive for providing the same clinical
service. Right now, LICSWs receive 75% of what psychologists
receive. It is not right and we will continually advocate until we get
parity.
2. On the state level, NASW is:
a. Working with our partners in the Mental
Health Coalition, particularly, the Association for Behavioral Health (ABH) to
lobby for hiring rates for agencies providing clinical services;
b. Consulting with MA Health, which contracts with
agencies to provide clinical services;
c. Bringing to the heads of the MCOs, the
insurance companies, the HMOs and the Group Insurance Commission the need to
increase reimbursement rates to social workers who provide the bulk of mental
health services;
d. Lobbying for loan forgiveness for social workers,
which will give relief to new professionals such that they are more likely to remain in the profession rather than leave for more lucrative positions; and
e. Discussing with SEIU Local 509 the options available for
some form of partnership around lobbying for increased reimbursement rates.
These are just a sampling of the advocacy steps the Chapter
is taking to increase the salaries and reimbursement rates for social
workers. I welcome your ideas and your input for other opportunities.
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