Medicare would pay separately for social worker care in nursing homes
In committeeS. 1797Latest action
Sponsor: John Barrasso · Senator · WY
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Official title: Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act
119th Congress
Topics: Health care
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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Starting in 2026, Medicare would pay directly for clinical social worker services instead of bundling them into nursing home rates.
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What does this do?
This bill removes clinical social worker services from Medicare's bundled daily payment to skilled nursing facilities, allowing those services to be billed separately. It also expands covered "clinical social worker services" to include health and behavior assessment and intervention, beyond traditional mental illness diagnosis and treatment. The changes take effect for services provided starting January 1, 2026.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects Medicare enrollees, especially seniors and people with disabilities living in nursing homes. It also affects clinical social workers and skilled nursing facilities.
Why does it matter?
Facilities would no longer need to cover this care out of their fixed daily payment, changing the financial incentives around providing it. Clinical social workers could bill Medicare directly for a broader range of services.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMay 15, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · May 15, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S2954)