Tips and Tools for Social Workers

Each summer, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issues proposed regulations regarding Medicare payments for multiple types of services. The NASW Practice Team comments on the proposed rule for calendar year 2027 (CMS-1848-P) addressed numerous topics, including telehealth, psychiatric collaborative care management, shared medical appointments, primary care, advance care planning, community-based palliative care, the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) process, the quality payment program, reimbursement rates for clinical social workers, and Medicare eligibility for immigrants. CMS will release the final rule in November 2026; in early 2027, the NASW Practice Team will publish a summary of social work–related topics within the final rule.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence (Reamer, 2025). It encompasses various complex models that together make up a rapidly evolving technology capable of understanding language, learning from data, and making predictions or recommendations (Borah et.al, 2026). Machine learning, generative AI, natural language processing, and large language models are just some of the AI technologies relevant to the mental health field.

Coaching is a growing profession in the United States. It is a values-based helping field in which coaches partner with clients to help them achieve growth. Because of its similar vision to social work, many clinical social workers (CSWs) see opening a coaching practice as a way to expand their careers and increase income.

There were several national policies and initiatives implemented in the past year that impacted the child welfare system. A few important changes include new leadership in government agencies, the Trump Administration’s Executive Order (EO) on Foster Care, the Home for Every Child (HFEC) initiative, letters to states, and congressional actions.

For the past 25 years, CAQH has served as a free provider credentialing database for CSWs who want to panel with multiple insurance companies. With the transition to DataSpring, the website will continue to allow CSWs to share their self-reported professional information with authorized insurance companies at no cost.

NASW often receives inquiries from clinical social workers (CSWs) who are interested in starting a private practice. While CSWs are highly skilled mental health providers and knowledgeable in their specialty areas of practice, knowing how to open and run a business, panel with insurance, navigate state laws, and manage risk is a skill learned separately from clinical training.