May 2013 Newsletter

CPT Code Changes for 2013: Impact on Behavioral Health CPT Codes and Webinar (Go to the following link and register for free)

Update on new CPT codes and rates ILBCBC BLAST IMHCA ACTIVE MEMBERS ...more members only area under public policy

American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Training Webinar and Deployment news Volunteer and ...more members only area under public policy.

Counselor Licensure Law signed by Gov. Quinn. Takes effect 6/25/12 ...more members only area under public policy.

DSM-5 Draft Criteria Open for Final Public Comment
May 2nd through June 15th, 2012
http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx

Changes to Tricare allowing LCPCs to practice independently. ...more members only area under public policy.

10/14/11 ILBCBS adds enhancement makes it possible to include Behavioral Health (Professional) Areas of Expertise. ...more members only area under public policy.

09/14/11 ILBCBS raises rates 17% for LCPCs. ...more members only area under public policy.

IMHCA/ICA meet with ILBCBS to advocate for rates. See summary in members only area.

New Mental health services rules in IL defines medically necessary treatment in Medicaid programs (Rule 132) http://1.usa.gov/k0ZDIF

IDFPR Sets New Counselor Licensure Rules
See a summary in the latest IMHCA newsletter

May/June 2011 Newsletter

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12/31/10
UPDATE
The preauthorization requirement has been eliminated for outpatient professional behavioral health visits! BCBSIL has made a change to its new Behavioral Health program effective Jan. 1, 2011. more...(members section Public Policy)

12/23/10
UPDATE
BCBSIL will not be implementing the preauthorization requirement for the first 10 outpatient behavioral health visits, except for specific services. more...(members section Public Policy)

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VA establishes qualification standards for LCPCs to work in the VA. Basics:

U.S. Citizen
Graduate CACREP Counseling Program
LCPC license

IMHCA has expressed it's serious dissapointment that this policy from the VA is not more inclusive. We are forming a Task Force to work on changing this VA policy that is not consistent with the law that enabled it to happen.
Full policy at: http://bit.ly/9kbC14
ACA Comments at:http://www.counseling.org/PublicPolicy/

To join the CICO(Coalition of Illinois Counselor Organizations) Task Force email me at myimhca@gmail.com