BILL NUMBER: S8715
SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to authorizing
licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for their
services
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to authorizes licensed creative arts thera-
pists to bill Medicaid directly for their services.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one would amend Paragraph (gg) of subdivision 2 of section 365-a
of the social services law to allow for creative arts therapists to bill
Medicaid directly for their services
Section two is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill would allow licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid
directly for the services they provide. The status quo of excluding
mental health practitioners licensed under Article 163 of the Education
law from recognized providers within the Medicaid program results in
undue hardship for individuals, families, and communities, and a lack of
transparency in Medicaid billing. According to the National Institute
of Mental Health, approximately one in four American adults suffers from
a mental illness, making the work performed by all mental health profes-
sionals, including licensed mental health practitioners, crucial to the
provision of healthcare. Individuals should be able to receive treat-
ment.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninety-first day after it shall have
become a law.