clinical social work association

March 17, 2020

I spoke this morning with Karyn Anderson, CMS Technical Director as she was about to develop this guidance from CMS on telemental health services. She was quite receptive to our concerns.

I am happy to report that CMS has approved an expansion of Medicare telemental health to cover anyone we see, new patients or ongoing ones. Unfortunately, it does not include telephonic sessions. CSWA will keep working to get them included as well. To see the FAQ on all the changes included see 3.17.20 COVID 19 Telehealth Waiver FAQ Final.pdf.

Please read this carefully and let me know if you have any questions.

- Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director of Policy and Practice, Government Relations Chair