March 27, 2026

As you know, LCSWs have been reimbursed by Medicare at a rate that is 75% of what clinical psychologists are paid for psychotherapy codes in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule since 1994. CSWA sees this disparity as based on a misunderstanding of the psychotherapy services that clinical social workers provide, though the fact that we are eligible to use the same psychotherapy codes as the other disciplines should be self-explanatory.

Another effort is being made to partially correct this disparity, requiring LCSWs to be paid at 85% of psychologists and psychiatrists for psychotherapy services, following many brave attempts over the years spearheaded by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), until she retired. LCSWs now have new champions in John Barrasso, MD (R-WY) and Christopher Coons (D-DE), and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) through the introduction of the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act (S.4202/H.R. 8081). While CSWA would like to see parity with all mental health disciplines for LCSWs, this bill would be an improvement.

Now is the time to contact your senators and representatives in Congress to support these bills. Here is the message that should be given (using your own words is fine) by going to https://www.congress.gov/contact-us:

“I am a constituent, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a member of the Clinical Social Work Association. Please support Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act (S.4202/H.R. 8081) which will give LCSWs reimbursement for providing important mental health services that is needed. The payment disparity between LCSWs and psychologists for providing the same services and using the same psychotherapy codes is unfair. Let’s correct this disparity and give LCSWs, who provide 20% of all mental health services through Medicare (CMS, 2024), a fair reimbursement rate.”

As always, please let CSWA Director of Policy and Practice, Laura Groshong, know when you have sent your messages by contacting her at lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org.