CMS Releases New Medicare Enrollment Information for Counselors

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new resources to assist counselors who plan to enroll in Medicare beginning January 1, 2024. These new resources are available as you start reviewing the required forms and documentation necessary to enroll in the program.

You can find enrollment materials on the new CMS webpage Medicare Enrollment for Providers & Suppliers. Additional sections have been added on CMS website to better direct counselors, including a “News and Additional Resources” section titled "New Provider Type: Marriage and Family Therapist (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs)”

In addition, CMS released a detailed FAQ document dedicated for counselors interested in enrollment. The CMS FAQ document includes 36 questions in the following categories:

• How Medicare Recognizes MFTs and MHCs
• National Provider Identifier (NPI) and Taxonomy Codes
• Enrolling as an MFT or MHC
• Reassigning Medicare Benefits
• Telehealth
• Supervision and Documentation Requirements
• Enrollment Revalidation
• Opting-Out of Medicare

Please note, CMS will not begin accepting enrollment applications for LPC’s until November. November is the anticipated timeframe that the FY2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule will be finalized. For more information or any questions, please contact ACA’s Government Affairs team at advocacy@counseling.org.