NOVEMBER 2023 E-NEWSLETTER

Dear Members,

November is here, and change is in the air. For CAMFT, we have some big changes that are taking place this month. 

First, CAMFT is relocating our headquarters. After 30 years of calling Raytheon Road home, we are in the process of selling our approximately 10,000 square foot building and purchasing a smaller office space that better fits the needs of our remote-hybrid work environment. CAMFT's Board of Directors' decision to relocate will provide significant maintenance and other operational expense reductions. Our new home is located just 3 miles from our old office at 6265 Greenwich Drive in San Diego. At a little over 2300 square feet, the office unit will undergo minor renovations to customize the space to our unique needs. I look forward to sharing more early in 2024 once the dusts settles from our move. 

Second, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have released the 2024 Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule (CY 2024 FS Final Rule) that describes the processes and procedures regarding the implementation of Medicare Part B Coverage for Marriage and Family Therapists. Individuals who meet the MFT eligibility requirements embodied in the Final Rule will be able to enroll in Medicare by applying online or using Form CMS-855I application (Medicare Enrollment Application – Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners; OMB No. 0938-1355). MFTs can begin submitting their enrollment applications for becoming Medicare Providers today! 

However, as the new benefit categories do not take effect until January 1, 2024, MFT claims for services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries with dates of service prior to January 1, 2024, will not be payable. MFTs can visit the Medicare Enrollment page of the CMS website for basic information on the provider enrollment process. If you are not planning on becoming a Medicare provider, you’ll need to opt-out. Please visit CAMFT’s Medicare Corner for more details. 

Another important update to share: CAMFT recently hired a communications firm to elevate the brand of MFTs. Over the next several months, our External Affairs committee and Board of Directors will provide input and direction as we start to move the needle via an awareness campaign. I’m excited to see where this initiative takes us, and we’re just getting started!

Change is in the air for laws impacting MFTs. You’ll want to register for CAMFT’s New Year, New Laws workshop (3 CE hrs) taking place on December 1st! I hope you can join us live and in-person in beautiful Indian Wells for this informative session. After the session, members are invited to attend our member reception in advance of our December Board meeting. This is a great opportunity to network with your peers and learn, all at one event. Can’t make it to Indian Wells? Register to watch a livestream of the workshop!  

November is also a time for giving thanks, and I confess when I look at events happening around the world, I feel some despair. I know many people and communities are hurting right now, from Gaza and Israel, to Ukraine, to Haiti and other places in the world facing war or strife. I also feel a deep sense of purpose, as it is our community of Marriage and Family Therapists that is providing therapy to countless individuals who are feeling helpless, hopeless, or individual loss. I am extremely thankful for the role that MFTs provide in helping individuals navigate such turbulent times as you support your clients' mental health and overall well-being.

With care,

Joy Alafia, MBA, CAE
Executive Director