This bill modifies Medicare coverage rules to expand mental health services available to seniors. Specifically, it removes clinical social worker services from Medicare's skilled nursing facility payment system, allowing these services to be billed and reimbursed separately rather than being bundled into facility payments. The legislation also broadens the types of mental health services that clinical social workers can provide under Medicare to include health and behavior assessments and interventions, not just traditional mental illness treatment. The changes apply to seniors age 65 and older who receive care in skilled nursing facilities or other Medicare-covered settings. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2026, giving Medicare and healthcare providers time to implement the new payment and coverage rules.
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