Enrollment Criteria for Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) can bill Medicare independently for their services furnished for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses as of January 1, 2024. Medicare Part B pays MFTs and MHCs for these services at 75 percent of what a clinical psychologist is paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Both MFTs and MHCs must meet certain criteria to enroll in Medicare.

Marriage and Family Therapist Enrollment Requirements

1. Possess a master's or doctor's degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a marriage and family therapist pursuant to state law of the state in which the individual furnishes the services defined as marriage and family therapist services
    
2. Performed at least two (2) years or 3,000 hours of post master’s degree clinical supervised experience in marriage and family therapy in an appropriate setting such as a hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF), private practice or clinic
    
3. Are licensed or certified as a marriage and family therapist by the state in which you perform services

Mental Health Counselor Enrollment Requirements

1. Possess a master's or doctor's degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a mental health counselor, clinical professional counselor, professional counselor under the state law of the state in which the individual furnishes the services defined as mental health counselor services
    
2. Performed at least two (2) years or 3,000 hours of post master’s degree clinical supervised experience in mental health counseling in an appropriate setting such as a hospital, SNF, private practice or clinic
    
3. Are licensed or certified as a mental health counselor, clinical professional counselor or professional counselor by the state in which you perform services

Addiction counselors and alcohol and drug counselors who meet all the applicable requirements of an MHC may enroll in Medicare as MHCs and bill Medicare for MHC services.

Those meeting the criteria can enroll in Medicare to submit claims for reimbursement of covered services provided to Medicare patients. Steps to enroll can be found on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Marriage and Family Therapists & Mental Health Counselors web page.