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ASAM Supports Legislation Expanding Occupational Therapy to People with SUD
In coalition with the Mental Health Liaison Group, ASAM has issued its support for the bipartisan Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act, which would expand access to occupational therapy (OT) services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders under Medicare.
Medicare currently covers OT services for people with SUD, but OT practitioners are often underutilized in behavioral health settings, making it difficult for patients to receive this care. This is due, in part, to limited awareness of OT practitioners' role in addressing the health needs of this patient population. The legislation requires that the Secretary of Health and Human Services provide further clarification on Medicare coverage and billing procedures for these services.
The letter was sent to Senators Maggie Hassan and Tim Scott, and Representatives Tim Kennedy and Zach Nunn. Read the full letter .
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