THE BBS MOVES FORWARD WITH PROPOSAL FOR MFT NATIONAL CLINICAL EXAM

The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) took another step forward in potentially accepting the Association of Marital and Family Therapists Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) national exam for licensure in California. On September 20, 2024, the BBS Board voted to pursue necessary statutory amendments as a legislative proposal in next year’s legislative session. These statutory amendments will allow the Board the authority to adopt a national clinical exam through its regulations. This remains a process that can take several years. 

CAMFT will continue to work closely with BBS staff and the AMFTRB on next steps to adopt the AMFTRB national exam so that California-licensed MFTs have better license portability and fewer hurdles to obtain federal employment. To learn more about license portability and the national exam, please read both CAMFT’s FAQ on License Portability and our FAQ on the MFT National Exam.  

NEW LAW EXPANDS ACCESS TO MFTS IN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

MFTs are eligible providers within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). However, if an FQHC/RHC wants to add MFTs to their list of billable providers, they must submit a change in scope of services, a process that can be administratively intensive and costly.  

Fortunately, on September 27, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2703 into law to remove this existing statutory barrier for community health centers wanting to add MFTs as billable providers. This change will streamline the process, making it easier for community health centers to add more MFTs to their care delivery system. Read the press release.  

CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE ROLLS OUT OCTOBER 16^th

Senate Bill (SB) 525 was signed into law to phase in statewide minimum wage increases for health care workers employed by covered health care facilities. The state announced in early October that the $25 health care worker minimum wage will start rolling out on October 16, 2024.  

Not every eligible health care worker will receive a minimum wage increase right away. The California Department of Industrial Relations has a FAQ resource which provides more information on the health care minimum wage increase and when it takes effect for different types of health care facilities.  

Click here to learn more about which healthcare facilities are covered, and if these minimum wage increases may impact you.  

CALIFORNIA ESTABLISHES STATE JOBS FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

On September 9, 2024, the State Personnel Board voted to establish three new state classifications specific for those licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy. MFTs may pursue these state positions to work in state-operated institutions and clinics, including mental hospitals, mental health clinics, and correctional institutions.   

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is working on final adoption and salary determination. Once completed, job openings for these classifications will become available to apply on the state’s job site. 

BBS WORKING ON ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR AMFT REGISTRATION   

The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) is working on an exciting new development to bring the application for AMFT registration online. BBS staff efforts project a timeline for completion throughout 2025.

INTRODUCING A NEW BILL TO EXPAND MFT ROLES IN THE VA

Rep. Julia Brownley has introduced HR 8165, a bill to increase the number of qualified Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) in the Department of Veterans Affairs.     

The VA Marriage and Family Therapist Equity Act in HR 8165 aims to remove barriers for California MFTs working in the VA system by easing accreditation requirements and providing clearer career paths.   

Please urge your elected officials to co-sponsor this crucial legislation. You may act now by filling out our call to action form to support this bill's progress through Congress. 

REMINDER OF NEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CORPORATIONS 

As of January 1, 2024, various business entities, including professional corporations, will be required to report certain ownership information to the United States Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).   

Many nonprofits are exempt from this reporting requirement and the requirement would not generally apply to most typical sole proprietorships. To determine whether your business entity falls under this new reporting requirement, please see FinCEN's FAQ or contact a private attorney specializing in business, nonprofit, or corporate law to obtain independent legal consultation.  According to FinCEN, reporting companies (i.e. companies required to report certain ownership information, pursuant to this new law) must submit beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports to FinCEN electronically through an online filing system that can be accessed through FinCEN's website. 

Reporting companies with questions about beneficial ownership can reach out to FinCEN via its website. Alternatively, these companies may wish to obtain independent legal consultation regarding Corporate Transparency Act compliance from private attorneys specializing in business or corporate law.   

MEDICARE & OPTING OUT THINGS TO KNOW!

As of January 1, 2024, LMFTs and MHCs (AKA LPCCs) are eligible Medicare providers. Licensees should act to ensure they have addressed Medicare as it relates to their patient, employment and contract relationships. Those who wish to enroll can visit the Medicare Corner at camft.org/Medicare to find out how to enroll as Fee-For-Service and/or Medicare Advantage providers. Those who plan to opt out should first consider how opting out might impact their relationships and any future job opportunities.  

Opted out providers are opted out of the Medicare system for all purposes and all settings (i.e. a provider cannot opt out of seeing Medicare patients in their private practice setting and still work as a Medicare provider who bills the Medicare system for services rendered for the hospital they work for part-time.)  

Once providers submit an opt out affidavit, they have only have 90 days for the date of submitting an initial opt-out affidavit to change their mind and contact the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) to terminate opt out status. The opt out period last for two years.  

Information for providers who mistakenly opted out of Medicare:  

Providers who opted out of Medicare and are facing consequences with employers or entities whom they are employed by or have contracted with may be able to submit provider enrollment reconsideration requests.    

A reconsideration request is an opportunity for a provider who has surpassed the 90-day opt out withdrawal window to furnish evidence that demonstrates that there was an error made at the time of the initial determination affecting participation in the Medicare Program. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ reconsideration request form can be found here. The coversheet needed to submit the reconsideration request form can be found here.  Note: Reconsideration request forms must be submitted within 65 days of the initial determination date to be considered. CMS has up to 90 days to issue a decision. 

ATTEND BBS BOARD MEETINGS 

We at CAMFT encourage all members to attend BBS Board and Committee meetings, either in person or virtually, to better understand upcoming changes to your licensure path, supervision requirements, workforce development, etc. Click here to see upcoming meetings in 2024. 

SCHOLARSHIP/GRANTS—CAMFT GIVING AWAY FREE MONEY!* 

Now that we have your attention, let’s talk about your future. The CAMFT Educational Foundation gives away over $20,000 every year by offering five scholarships and one grant to deserving candidates. Each scholarship award is in the amount of $4,000, and the grant award is up to $2,500.   

The Online Application for each Scholarship and Grant makes it SUPER EASY to apply! To apply for one of these opportunities—or to nominate someone else—click here.  

(*Must apply for a Scholarship or Grant)

NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUE TO RECOGNIZE THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT 

Each year CAMFT is thrilled to recognize the fantastic accomplishments of our members and others in the industry. Four honors will be awarded to distinguished CAMFT members, school, or agency that have contributed in a significant way to the body of literature or research informing the profession of marriage and family therapy or have engaged in projects or committed to a mission that has enhanced the quality and reputation of the profession. 

Nominations are now being accepted for the following: 

• Mary Riemersma Distinguished Clinical Member 
• Honorary Distinguished Clinical Member (non-CAMFT member) 
• Clark Vincent Award 
• Outstanding School or Agency Award 

Nominate your exceptional colleague, school, or agency for their extraordinary achievements! 

The Online Application for each Honor and Award makes it SUPER EASY to apply! To apply for one of these opportunities—or to nominate someone else—click here.