Clinical Social Work Practice Tools:
Reimbursement

In July 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule that announced proposed policy and practice changes for Medicare Part B payments beginning January 1, 2022.

On December 1, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The rule is effective January 1, 2021, and applies to Medicare providers, including clinical social workers (CSWs). This NASW Practice Alert summarizes the rule provisions that apply to CSWs.

In 2020, there are several important national updates that clinical social workers (CSWs) should be aware of to help them maintain an effective business and clinical practice. These updates include the areas of coding, claims, quality payment, and reimbursement.

In 2013, 90837 was one of several psychotherapy procedural codes introduced to health care professionals such as clinical social workers and the health insurance industry.

NASW receives questions from clinical social workers about how to terminate their contracts as insurance providers and move to a private pay fee-for-service practice. This practice perspective highlights several important steps to facilitate the transition.