Billing / Billing Codes

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has received inquiries from members regarding the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB). It is important for clinical social workers to understand the QMB program and billing guidelines to ensure proper reimbursement for services. This document provides an overview of the QMB program and billing guidelines for clinical social workers.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Task Force for Clinical Social Work Practice Standards is pleased to announce the attached draft entitled, "NASW Standards for Clinical Social Workers in Social Work Practice," is now available for public comment. The draft offers guidance to clinical social workers in all clinical settings and serves as a benchmark for the services they provide. 

There have been several coding changes for private practitioners who are licensed as clinical social workers to diagnose and treat mental illness.This document outlines two recent major coding updates on prolonged services and behavioral health integration (BHI) that clinical social workers should be aware of when filing a claim for reimbursement.

On July 7, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule of the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) that announced proposed policy and practice changes for Medicare Part B payments beginning January 1, 2023. The proposed changes may impact social workers and other Medicare providers in various settings.

NASW provided comments to CMMS regarding the provisions of the 2023 Proposed Rule under the Medicare Fee Schedule CMS-1770-P including comments on Telehealth Services, Behavioral Health services, Opioid Treatment Programs and many more.

On July 7, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rule of the Physician Fee Schedule that announced proposed policy and practice changes for Medicare Part B payments beginning January 1, 2023. The proposed changes may impact social work practice and reimbursement in various settings and that of other Medicare providers.