Updates to Medicare Benefit Policy Manual and Medicare Claims Processing Manual for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs)

The purpose of this Change Request (CR), Transmittals T1248pb and T12448cp, is to establish new provider specialty codes and payment instructions for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs), as authorized by Section 4121 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. These payments began January 1, 2024. All MFTs and MHCs billing Medicare will be required to enroll with Medicare. MFT and MHC services are defined as services for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses (other than services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital). An MFT or MHC is defined as an individual who possesses a master’s or doctor’s degree, is licensed or certified by the State in which they furnish services, and who has performed at least 2 years or 3,000 hours of clinical supervised experience and meets other requirements as the Secretary determines appropriate.