Health Practice Tools

NASW's Practice Team reviewed the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule and submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing numerous topics that may impact social workers, other healthcare providers, and beneficiaries. 

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.

NASW has extended the public comment period for draft practice standards addressing long-term services and supports (LTSS). These standards, prepared by a volunteer task force of NASW members in collaboration with NASW staff, pertain to LTSS provided by social workers to people of all ages in home- and community-based settings and in facilities. NASW welcomes input on the standards from all social workers (regardless of NASW membership status) and other stakeholders. Anyone may submit a comment without logging into or creating an NASW account. Read the draft standards and submit your feedback through July 26.

These revised standards, prepared by a volunteer task force of NASW members in collaboration with NASW staff, address long-term services and supports (LTSS) provided by social workers to people of all ages in home- and community-based settings and in facilities. When finalized, the standards will replace the 2003 NASW Standards for Social Work Services in Long-Term Care Facilities. Read the manuscript and provide your feedback by July 12.

The NASW Standards Task Force for Long-Term Services and Supports is pleased to present for public comment the attached draft of the NASW Practice Standards for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). NASW standards offer guidance to social workers and serve as benchmarks for services provided by social workers. This draft addresses LTSS provided to people of all ages in both facilities and home- and community-based settings. When finalized, these LTSS standards will replace the 2003 NASW Standards for Social Work Services in Long-Term Care Facilities.

NASW Task Force for Social Workers’ Safety in the Workplace is pleased to announce the attached draft practice standards for public comment by April 25, 2026. The draft standards offer guidance to social workers on essential, helpful provisions for social workers to feel secure when carrying out their social work duties in any setting or environment. We value your input and encourage you to review the document by clicking Here.

Please use the comment section to provide your feedback no later than April 25, 2026. We kindly request that you include your professional background with your comments. Thank you.

Submit your comment.