Clinical Social Work Practice Tools: Practice

As NASW members prepare for the implementation of the codes and criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), they have contacted NASW with questions. The Association has compiled a list of frequently asked questions by its members to help clinical social workers prepare for DSM-5 changes in clinical practice.

Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) brings significant changes to the health care system in the United States. The changes come in the form of Medicaid expansion and enhanced federal support for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and through the development of state-based Health Insurance Exchanges where health plans will be offered to individuals and small businesses. Americans will be required to have a qualifying health care plan or be penalized. Clinical social workers in private practice can expect to become paneled as providers and negotiate payment rates with exchange plans just as they do with health plans in the private industry.

Electronic health records (EHRs) are becoming popular and many health care providers have adopted them in practice.  EHRs are digital versions of paper records which make patient information instantly accessible to authorized users.  NASW has received calls and emails from members inquiring whether they will be mandated to use electronic health records in 2014. The purpose of this practice alert is to provide NASW members with a response to this inquiry.

Clinical social workers frequently open a solo or group private practice to provide mental health services. There are several start-up items clinical social workers should incorporate into their new psychotherapy practice.

Retiring a solo or group practice can be challenging especially when working in a high volume practice. Because there are many things to consider, it’s important to retire your practice with careful planning to avoid any problems after your practice has officially closed.

As mental health professionals, clinical social workers work in high-risk situations and should be aware of practice outcomes of worst and best case scenarios.