Author: Carol Trust, LICSW, Executive Director, Massachusetts Chapter, NASW

In August, 2000, Value Options, the Managed Care Company that is managing the mental health benefits for Harvard Pilgrim announced its new fee schedule. For the most part fees for psychiatrists and psychologists dropped while fees for clinical social workers and clinicians running therapy groups rose. In an August 18, 2000 Boston Globe article, it was reported that Value Options wanted to encourage the use of clinical social workers and therapy groups run by the whole range of mental health professionals.