Comments on: US House includes counselors in Medicare legislation

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 17:09:59 +0000

The issue here which is really exciting is the potential end of discrimination in the psychotherapy profession. There are 10’s of thousands of highly skilled, deeply and broadly quailifed licensed counselors who are prevented from helping people simply because State or Federal Laws only approve certian types of professionals (who have VERY good lobbyists) even though the training is either identical or in some cases superior to the “approved” professionals. I can (and have) run circles around licensed psychologists in court, for example, but I am prevented from doing some things they do and can’t provide services to certain people (like military or veterans) because of discriminatory laws. IF and WHEN this happens, SO MANY people will be afforded expanded care and help. When stats indicate that 87% of visits to a primary care physician are stress related, can you imagine if ALL (not just some) of the qualified professionals could help people of all ages manage and reduce their stress what potential that wold have on the entire healtcare insurance industry in reducing the cost of insurance? THis is a VERY GOOD THING for everyone!

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:36:32 +0000

Oh, sorry; well, Medicaid is a state by state thing. Most states do fund therapy and do so for psychologists. However, again, it must be medically necessary.

By: ken

ken — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:15:37 +0000

Warren said:

Ken – Medicare already reimburses psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers for counseling services.

That’s why I said medicaid not medicare. I agree that seniors are not a big market for reparative therapy. However, teenagers/20-somethings who are depressed over their orientation would certainly make a tempting target for reparative therapists, especially if they can get the government to foot the bill.

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:49:46 +0000

Ken – Medicare already reimburses psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers for counseling services. And the services must be medically necessary. I would not worry about a government funded boom in reparative therapy for older Americans on the horizon.

By: ken

ken — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:06:57 +0000

While I think counseling would be an appropriate use for medicaid, I see a downside to this. The government deciding what is or is not appropriate mental health counseling is something I would be concerned about. I’m sure it will require counselors to be licensed in order to be eligible for government funds, but what happens when guys like Nicholosi (sp) start wanting a piece of the action for their counseling services?