The federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services has issued the final rule for Medicare CY 2021 (physician fee schedule), which includes elements pertaining to telehealth and reimbursement for certified social workers (CSWs) who participate in Medicare, among other provisions.

NASW is “carefully reviewing the final rule and its implications…. [The] proposed rule proposed substantial payment cuts for scores of specialty providers, including CSWs, in order to increase reimbursement for primary care services (budget neutrality is required). We vigorously opposed these cuts, which unfortunately were not removed in the final rule. We are working with our partners to try to get this addressed, but it will be a challenge.”

To learn more, read this CMS press release and fact sheet.