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July 2011

Compelling Evidence Needed to Increase the Work and Practice Expense Values of Psychoanalysis

The psychoanalysis Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Code is being considered for review to increase the work and practice expense values associated with reimbursement rates. Work values are based on the time and the required mental effort and judgment to perform a service, and the stress encountered due to the potential risk to the patient. Practice expense values include direct expenses of a clinical practice including clinical labor activities, medical supplies, and equipment. The consideration for review is taking place through the American Medical Association, Relative Value Scale Update Committee and the Health Care Professional Advisory Committee and consists of presenting compelling evidence that psychoanalysis services should be revalued.

NASW would like to hear from clinical social workers who have compelling evidence that work and practice expense values of psychoanalysis should be increased. Compelling evidence includes, but is not limited to, factors such as

• Documentation in the literature or private practice that psychoanalysis has changed within the past 15 years.
• Evidence of changes in psychoanalysis due to technology
• Evidence that the patient population and types of problems have changed, resulting in increased work and stress for clinical social workers
• Analysis of data on time and effort measures such as clinical database
  
  NASW encourages clinical social workers to participate in the process to validate the need to increase the work and practice expense values of the CPT code for psychoanalysis Compelling evidence may be submitted to the following e-mail address, psychotherapysurvey@naswdc.org, no later than July 17, 2011.
  
  Additional information about how reimbursement rates are developed is available at the following Web site: National Association of Social Workers, www.socialworkers.org .Visit the Clinical Social Work web page and scroll to "Reimbursement".