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CAMFT along with other behavioral health organizations sent a letter to the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) regarding their recently published Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Billing Manual which includes new instructions for how to bill for MFT Trainee services. This new guidance from the Department effectively prohibits students from providing and billing for psychotherapy current procedural terminology (CPT) codes, effective July 1, 2023. Historically, MFT Trainees have been able to provide and be reimbursed for psychotherapy services under the Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health program. The letter strongly urged the Department to clarify and confirm that MFT Trainees are able to continue to provide and be reimbursed for Specialty Mental Health psychotherapy services as set forth in law and in the DHCS Information Notice.
The Department has since acknowledged that Trainees are able to provide and claim for psychotherapy services and is in the process of drafting a State Plan Amendment to expressly permit Trainees to provide services under the Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health program. In the interim, the Department is also providing guidance to counties on how Trainees can bill for such services. CAMFT will continue to keep members informed on this important matter.
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