USPS’s Proposed Changes to the Mail-in Ballot System

President Trump released an Executive Order, Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections, on March 31st regarding mail-in ballots for federal elections. Because of this order, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed a new policy that, if implemented, would completely overhaul our mail-in ballot system. 

This new policy calls for states to compile lists of people in their state who are eligible to vote by mail. To become eligible to vote by mail, a voter must register with their State’s Chief Election Official to make sure that they are on the list to receive a ballot, and with USPS 30 days before the election. The state’s list of eligible voters would then be sent to the federal government for approval before the state can receive mail-in ballots. 

The new policy will also change how mail-in ballots look, and how they are processed. The ballots would be sent with two barcodes, one on the envelope it was sent with and one on the out-going envelope. The barcode is linked to a specific voter and address from the list that was given by the state. The USPS Mail Carriers will be responsible for verifying the ballot and deciding which ballots should be sent back to the government. On top of being underfunded and overworked, they would be forced to regulate mail-in ballots for federal elections. 

This new policy would be extremely harmful if it was allowed to be implemented. It makes it extremely difficult for people who want to vote by mail to be able to receive a ballot. They have to register with the state and with USPS with their address, full identification markers, and citizenship status. Strict formatting and timelines to register could lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. If your information had changed by the time the election comes, you would not be able to vote by mail. This also adds an undue burden to USPS workers, who have to verify each ballot that they collect. 

What We Can Do

As with any other federal policy proposal, we can submit public comments to share our thoughts and opinions. The open comment period is open until July 2nd, and we need social workers to share their opinions! Social workers know our communities best, and we need to protect their right to fair elections. Below you will find a guide with tips on how to make your comments effective, as well as a template you can follow. 

How to submit comments:

Mail or deliver written comments to Director, Product Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, Washington, DC 20260-5015. Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to: PCFederalRegister@usps.gov, with a subject line of “Ballot Mail.”

How to Make Your Comments Effective 

(1) an introduction where you explain why you are interested in the regulation and highlight 

any experience with the subject of the rule that may distinguish your comment; 

(2) a background section where you clearly identify the relevant part of the regulation you are 

commenting on; 

(3) analysis that lays out your argument and evidence (including with clear citations to any 

helpful research)—for example, how the action impacts you and what you care about; 

whether the agency anticipated or estimated these impacts correctly; any unintended 

consequences of this approach that the agency did not consider; and what additional details 

from the agency would help you better understand the action; 

(4) recommendations describing your suggestions to the agency and identifying specific 

changes you would advise—for example, providing a different way of addressing the 

problem the agency may not have considered; and 

(5) a conclusion which recaps your main argument and lists your recommendations again

Comment Template

SUBJECT: Ballot Mail

Dear United States Postal Service, 

Thank you for taking the time to read and review my public comments on your proposal to change Domestic Mail Manual Section 705, which would include new mail-in ballot procedures and regulations for federal elections. 

Recommendation

As a __________ (role), I strongly oppose the changes that are being proposed to DMM Section 705, which would implement increased surveillance by the federal government over eligible voters in each state, create unnecessary barriers, and change the procedure for obtaining a mail-in ballot. 

Rationale

Implementing this policy would make it increasingly harder for those who need to vote by mail, by creating a bureaucratic process for being approved to receive a ballot. Mail-in ballots increase accessibility for all voters to be involved in our democracy. (Speak about how mail-in ballots can be useful for those who have limited physical capabilities to vote in-person, those who cannot get out of work, those who are caregivers, etc.)

This proposal would also allow an unprecedented amount of surveillance of state processes by the federal government, and creates the potential for registrants to be left behind at any point in the process. The federal government approval of who a state identifies as an eligible voter is unnecessary oversight. (Speak to how sharing all of the personal identification information can be harmful for some)

The United States Postal Service is already under funding and facing significant challenges. Adding this multi-step process and administrative burden to mail carriers and the postal service as a whole will only further add to the existing strain and delay mail delivery times for all mail, not just ballots. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, I oppose the proposed changes to DMM Section 705 because of its impacts on accessibility to participating in elections for individuals who rely on mail-in ballots, the additional burden it adds to mail carriers who are not election day workers, and  (Share the other main points of your argument). 

Personalized Sign-off

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Everything you choose to include in your public comment is available to the public, be mindful and intentional with your public comments.

• Proposed New Rule Link: https://www.regulations.gov/document/USPS-2026-1289-0001

• More information from NASW National on this proposed rule: https://www.socialworkblog.org/advocacy/2026/06/trump-administration-vote-by-mail-election-interference/

-end-

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.

Click here to read the letter to the editor as a PDF

Massachusetts experienced significant challenges in 2025. A report from the Greater Boston Food Bank found that 40% of people in Massachusetts were food insecure.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness found that one in five adults in Massachusetts struggled with mental illness.

Finally, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership reported that the number of individuals who were unhoused remained over 28,000 people.

The needs in our communities are growing and the systems that help meet those needs are feeling the increase in volume.

Social workers are professionals that have a history of meeting those needs in a variety of roles: therapists, case managers, ER clinicians, community organizers, advocates, and so many more.

That is why I recommend that the Massachusetts legislature pass the SUPER Act (S.2950 & HD.4650) which would improve the professional pipeline for competent social workers to serve our communities here in Massachusetts when we need them most.

Michael O'Neill

"March was Social Work Month, a time when social workers are highlighted for the invaluable work they do in our communities to uplift, strengthen and defend some of society’s most vulnerable. As a social work student, I know the many barriers that exist in order to get a master’s degree in social work. The H.4650/S.2590, SUPER Act will not only strengthen my profession but remove unnecessary barriers allowing more diverse voices and perspectives to do this incredible work.

This legislation will facilitate qualified social workers being able to navigate the financial requirements of education and remove unnecessary barriers in the form of an inequitable test and unpaid placements.

After an LCSW candidate completes years of education from an accredited program and hundreds of practicum hours, they are then forced to take a standardized exam, which costs hundreds of dollars to not only take but prepare for. Data has been shown that those from marginalized communities, particularly those who English is not their first language, have a lower pass rate, which forces them to take the test multiple times, and each test requires paying a multi-hundred dollar fee.

That’s why I am asking you to join me in uplifting social workers, and urging you to contact your state legislators to ask them to bring the SUPER Act to the floor for a vote."

Mickey McGrath

Read the article here: https://www.socialworkers.org/News/News-Releases/ID/3371/NASW-Gravely-Concerned-by-Supreme-Court-Decision-on-Conversion-Therapy-Ban

Raise the age would end the automatic prosecution of 18, 19, and 20 years old adolescents as adults. This age group has the highest recidivism rate of any in the adult system, and double the recidivism of similar teens in juvenile systems. The juvenile system has increased access to diversion, record protections, and education/rehabilitative programming. These tools and resources help lower recidivism.

Click here to send a message to your state legislators inviting them to hear about why we must Raise the Age in Massachusetts.

Ways you can get involved with supporting this bill:

1. Send an email to your State Legislators inviting them to the Legislative Briefing on April 1st - click here to do so!
2. Fill out our Social Workers Interested in Advocacy Form for more advocacy opportunities.

What better way to celebrate Social Work Month then by passing policy that will remove barriers and support social workers? The SUPER Act is in the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, and needs your support to be brought to a vote! Join us for a virtual advocacy event on March 25th, at 6:30pm to share your support!

The SUPER Act (S.2590/H.4650),

has three components that will increase the number of master's mental health providers in the state, remove barriers, and incentivize social workers already in the field, overall bolstering our workforce and profession. The three components are counting supervision toward CE requirements, eliminating licensing tests at the Master’s level (LCSW) , and securing funding for paid internships for MSW students.

We would love to see the SUPER Act get passed this year, but that's only possible with your help! Will you join us during our virtual advocacy event on March 25th at 6:30pm?If so, RSVP here!

Ways you can get involved with supporting this bill:

1. Send an email to your State Legislators through our Action Center
2. Join our virtual advocacy event on March 25th at 6:30 pm - RSVP HERE!
3. Join our in-person mini lobby day on May 6th at 10:30 am - RSVP HERE!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter to host Annual LEAD Event on March 13, 2026

On Friday, March 13th, 2026, hundreds of social work students, new social work professionals, and social justice advocates from across the Commonwealth will gather in the State House for the Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD), an annual event hosted by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-MA). LEAD gives those who attend a unique opportunity to learn about advocacy and the legislative process, while also engaging with legislators and practicing lobbying skills in community with peers. The event is held during March to celebrate Social Work Month, an occasion commemorated by Governor Maura Healey in a proclamation.

LEAD will be held from 9:30am-1:00pm, with opening remarks by Rebekah Gewirtz, executive director of NASW-MA, and Sandra Best Bailly, NASW-MA Board President and faculty at Simmons University, beginning at 10:00am. Keynote addresses will be given by Senator Lydia Edwards and Representative Michael Kushmerek, both of whom have extensive histories with advocacy and social justice work both in and out of office. 

After the keynote address, attendees can expect to learn about the Massachusetts Legislature and the process by which legislation is passed, in a Lobbying 101 course preparing them to become effective advocates.. These sessions will be led by Jennifer Lemmerman, MSW, Chief Policy Officer at Project Bread, and Chelsea Sedani, MSW, Director of Advocacy at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. 

LEAD will include four legislative panel discussions. Each panel will highlight a priority bill on NASW-MA’s 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda. 

1. SUPER Act (S.2590/H.4650)

   • This bill seeks to increase the number of mental and behavioral health providers in the state by counting supervision toward continuing education requirements, eliminating the entry level master’s licensing test for LCSWs, and securing funding for paid internships for MSW students. Representative Barber will be a panelist for this session and will be moderated by Carla B. Monteiro.

2. Social Work Interstate Compact (S.252/H.380)

   • This bill seeks to allow Massachusetts to join the Social Work Interstate Compact to reduce barriers to license portability by allowing social workers with bachelor’s, master’s, and clinical licenses in Massachusetts to serve clients in other compact states. Representative Gordon will be a panelist for this session and will be moderated by Barbara Burka.

3. Overdose Prevention Centers (S.1393/H.2196)

   • NASW-MA is partnering with the MA4OPC Coalition to support this bill, which would create a pilot local option for the creation of overdose prevention centers, otherwise referred to as safe consumption sites, enabling towns and cities in Massachusetts to open these centers if they so choose. Representative Lawn and Representative Decker will be panelists for this session, and it will be moderated by Andrea Pessolano.

4. Everyone Needs an ID (S.2399/H.3750)

   • NASW-MA is partnering with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless to support this bill, which seeks to require the RMV to establish a process allowing homeless individuals to apply for identification cards, opening up access to employment, housing assistance, and essential services. Representative O’Day and Representative Garballey will be panelists for this session and it will be moderated by Megan Mawdsley.

Panel discussions will be held between expert advocates for each bill, key legislative sponsors, and fellow social work professionals and students. Attendees will be able to engage with the panelists directly after the discussion. Once the panels conclude at 12:30, attendees will be given materials that they can bring with them to lobby their legislators and legislative staff on the above-referenced bills 

For more information, please contact Brianna Silva at bsilva.naswma@socialworkers.org

NASW-MA is one of 54 chapters under the National Association of Social Workers, which is the largest membership organization for professional social workers in the world. NASW-MA is one of the largest chapters in the United States, with 5,500 members. NASW works to enhance the growth and development of members, to create and maintain professional standards for all social workers, and to advance sound social policies. 

Under the proposed federal rule, graduate students who are not enrolled in 'professional degree' programs can only borrow up to $20,500 annually. These changes make a Master's or a Doctor of Social Work degree unattainable through federal loans

#NASW strongly opposes the motion to expel the Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW) from the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and is urging all 68 voting member associations to uphold the profession’s core values of unity, dialogue, and compassion. Read our full statement here: https://tinyurl.com/5rtf954s

On February 3, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026” was signed into law, ending a short-term 4-day partial government shutdown.

The Act, part of a broader fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending package, includes a further extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities that recently expired on January 31, 2026.

Originally introduced as temporary pandemic-era measures, these telehealth policies have been repeatedly sustained through short term legislative extensions.

Among other flexibilities being extended, this is key for outpatient behavioral health:

• In-Person Requirement for Mental Health Visits: Medicare patients receiving services for the diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of a mental health disorder via telehealth may continue to do so without having received a Medicare-covered in person item or service through January 1, 2028.

In other words, Medicare behavioral health services can continue to be provided via telehealth without any in-person meetings required. This will be the case through at least Jan. 1, 2028. In the meantime, there are bills continuing to move through Congress to make the flexibilities permanent.

As a reminder, telehealth services generally have already been made permanent for behavioral health specifically, including audio-only.

More information at link below for general allowances included in the law.

NASW-MA will continue to follow developments, and will keep membership updated.

NOTE: To ensure continuing to receive notifications and other benefits from NASW, be sure that your membership is current or you can rejoin via the link below.

Across the United States communities are experiencing harm. Families afraid to leave their homes. Children are being impacted at school and neighborhoods are being destabilized by fear. This is not safety or justice and it has no place in our democracy.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has long warned against fear-based policies that rely on force instead of care. Force militarized responses being carried out by ICE result in significant trauma to the communities we serve.

Social Workers Educate!

Use your voice, training, and platform to share accurate information about how harmful immigration enforcement impacts families, communities, and essential services. NASW calls on policymakers and federal agencies to immediately halt harmful enforcement practices and commit to approaches that prioritize safety and humanity. Fear, intimidation, and murder have no place in our democracy.

On Saturday, January 24, another U.S. citizen was killed by federal immigration enforcement. This wasn’t an isolated incident and reflects a dangerous pattern that threatens community safety and public trust.

As social workers, our ethical responsibility is clear. We must:

• Protect human dignity
• Demand transparence and accountability
• Advocate for systems rooted in care, not intimidation

Silence is not neutral.

Social Workers Activate! Act Now!

Support community-based organizations, mutual aid, and mental health resources that protect and heal our neighborhoods.

Fear, intimidation, and murder have no place in our democracy.

Please contact Congress at (202) 224-3121 and demand transparency, accountability, and an end to fear-based enforcement practices. Amplify YOUR social work voice.

 

Check out our NASW-MA 2025 Annual Report with information on all we have accomplished together for social workers and social justice!

https://www.naswma.org/resource/resmgr/annual_reports/annual_report_2025.pdf

In your Jan. 13 editorial you make the important point that in this technological day and age, people should have easier access to the health care they need regardless of the state in which they live (“Medical needs cross state lines. Licenses should too,” Jan. 13). This is why the interstate compact for social workers, filed this legislative session by state Senator Robyn K. Kennedy and Representatives Kenneth I. Gordon and James J. O’Day, is so essential.

While the social work compact was not mentioned in the editorial, social workers are the largest group of mental health service providers in the nation. At least 29 other states have now passed the social work interstate compact into law, including every other New England state except Massachusetts. The nationwide social work compact commission is currently meeting to set regulations for the rollout of the compact, which is likely to occur this year. But Massachusetts doesn’t have a seat at the table because the state hasn’t passed the bill into law.

Our state needs to act with more urgency to advance critical legislation, such as the social work interstate compact, that would help address the crisis of access many people experience when seeking the care they need.

Rebekah Gewirtz
Executive Director
National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter

It’s time to act to make sure Social Work continues to be classified as a professional degree. 

We were inspired by NASW-NY’s idea to have social workers and social work students submit short 30 seconds to 1 minute videos stating why they know social work is a profession. We want to bring that idea here to Massachusetts, to remind our federal government why Social Work is and will continue to be a professional degree. 

Below, you will find a video guide, so that each video follows the same template. 

Have fun with it: Speak about your WHY and what makes you sure that social work is a profession! 

Please submit your submissions which will be posted on our social media channels to: 

Brianna at bsilva.naswma@socialworkers.org by Wednesday 1/7/2026!

First: Introduce yourself!

• -Share your name and that you are from Massachusetts

• -Share your role (ex. Clinician, Student, etc)

• -Share how many years you have been in the profession 

  • For students, share how many years you have been studying/what you hope to do with your social work degree

Second: Share your WHY!

Here is where you can get creative! You can…

• Share what it means to you to have a degree in social work

• Why is the degree important to your work?

• Why is it necessary for your career to have this degree?

• Share why you think social work is a profession

  • Speak to the professional licensure requirements

  • Share requirements for licensure and degree for your role

• Students: Share why you need the degree to start your career

  • What opportunities are available to you with a degree that are not without one?

  • What would the impact of the new borrowing limits be on your ability to get a social work degree?

• End your video by making the ask: Submit comments when the public comment period opens up

These are only suggestions, so feel free to customize your videos and pick from different prompts! The more personal stories we can add to the video, the more impactful of a statement it will be!

Remember, these videos are meant to be 30 seconds to 1 minute so that they are more digestible to the audience. We will be posting these on Instagram and our TikTok account. 

NASW-RI Statement:

NASW-RI deeply mourns the tragic loss of life at Brown University this weekend. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and friends, and all who know and love those who have been directly and indirectly impacted. Social workers in Providence and throughout our Rhode Island community stand ready to support those who need help and support as we manage the tragic aftermath of this senseless violence.

These changes involve eliminating degrees that have been considered professional for decades, including public health, education, and social work. If these changes go into effect, that would mean that social work students would have a cap of $20,500 for federal student loan assistance per year.

The NASW has taken steps already to protect our profession and advocate for the professional nature of social work.

Our chapter has created a one-pager outlining what is happening and what the implications will be for social workers. You can find that linked here.

Action items:

• We have also started a campaign to our Federal Congressional legislators asking them to advocate for us as well. Would you be able to send a message to our leaders in Congress? You can find the campaign here.

• National has started a sign-on campaign for social workers that is directed to the DOE, advocating for the importance of our profession. You can sign the campaign here.

We know that this is a very turbulent time, and it can be very discouraging with how fast things are changing. But we are not going to stop or slow down in our advocacy for you all and our profession. When we stand together, we can make a stronger impact and protect the social work profession.

• Mass.gov provides a comprehensive list of resources, food pantries, and ways to help and donate to those impacted.

• Project Bread offers free assistance with finding food resources, understanding SNAP eligibility, accessing hot meal programs, and more.

Social Workers are Urged to Sign on to our Petition to save SNAP benefits nationwide!

Click here to Defend Snap Benefits: #NASW Calls Social Workers to Act!

The 2025 government shutdown is entering the fourth week, setting course to become one of the longest shutdowns in American history. Congress remains at an impasse. The House has been out of session for more than a month since passing their partisan version of the budget. While the Speaker of the House continues to encourage its members to stay in district, they are losing valuable committee work time as well as playing a lose-lose game with the future of America’s economic health. Meanwhile, the Senate has been in session trying and failing to pass the House version of the bill, needing Democrats to pass the bill.

The inaction and lack of federal funding will cause irreparable damage to individuals, families, and communities. Numerous federally funded programs are running out of money and when they do, they will have to make difficult decisions. Below is an outlook for a plethora of programs that, if the shutdown continues, will be severely impacted.

• The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
  • WIC programs were about to run out of money but received $300 million from redistributed funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The influx of money will allow many programs to maintain their current level of operations through the rest of October. According to the National WIC Association, this impermanent slution “puts the health and nutrition of millions of pregnant women, new mothers, and young children in jeopardy.” If state-run programs run out of funding, nearly 7 million pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women as well as infants and children no older than five will be unable to afford nutritious food and formula that keeps them healthy and fed.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • President Trump’s administration warned that the program has insufficient funds for the program to function, and the USDA doubled down by releasing a memo that gave states until November 1 to implement steep cuts. The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) stated that the sweeping changes “will lead to unnecessary chaos and confusion in the midst of widespread uncertainty, record inflation, and a government shutdown.” Without federal intervention, over 41 million people across the country will lose the one major tool they have to fight food insecurity and will be forced to choose between paying for necessities like housing, transportation, healthcare, and food.
• Student Loan Borrowing and Repayment
  • The Department of Education will not experience interruptions. There will be no pause in student loan repayments and loans are still eligible for default. The ongoing negotiated rulemaking process also continued with in-person meetings. The Office of Federal Student Aid released operating plans in the event of a government shutdown that detail the limited interruptions that will be experienced by students, parents, borrowers, and schools. According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, “Income Driven Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness application processing is paused during the shutdown.” Student loans will continue to be processed, and Direct Loan promissory note applications will continue to be processed and accepted from schools.
• Head Start
  • The National Head Start Association warns that a gvernment shutdown threatens to disrupt services for tens of thousands of children and families who rely on Head Start. “As of October 16, six programs serving 6,525 children are already operating without federal funding. By November 1, another 134 programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico will face the same spending issues.” Head Start programs have been forced to operate with a five percent cut due to inflation thanks to flat federal funding since FY24 and now without appropriations, programs will be forced to make disastrous decisions that will impact thousands of families who rely on services.
• Meals on Wheels
  • 90 percent of programs rely on federal funding and for more than 60 percent of those programs, that funding is half or more of their total budget. These programs operate on razor thin margins and have limited reserve funds to use in emergencies like a shutdown. According to the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, “any delay in receiving federal funding reimbursements for meals and services delivered could force them to halt meal services, add to already long waitlists, scale back delivery days or close their doors entirely.”  Over 2 million seniors are served by Meals on Wheels each year.
• Social Security
  • While local Social Security offices remain open, the services provided will be reduced. Hearings offices will remain open and Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments will continue without payment date changes. Individuals will be unable to replace Medicare cards, issue proof of income letters, or update or correct earnings records in person but online services will remain open.
• Healthcare
  • Healthcare is at the center of this government shutdown. Specifically at issue is the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits, without which at least 4 million people would lose their healthcare coverage. Currently, Medicaid, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act plans will continue to work but some benefits may be unavailable and fewer government workers will be available to help with the millions who receive care in these programs. These programs are mandatory, and they will continue to run, even in the midst of a shutdown.
  • Telehealth
    • One popular Medicare benefit is telehealth services. These have currently expired because the pandemic-era flexibilities lapsed because their extension was part of the failed continuing resolution.  NASW posted a Policy Update and Tips and Tools regarding telehealth flexibilities.

For each of these state-run programs, the best, most up-to-date information will come from their state entity instead of the federal government. Each individual state is responsible for their budget and is making adjustments to continue serving the most individuals and families possible.

While NASW chapters are tracking the funding lapse and shutdown closely and working with coalition partners to determine the impact in states as the shutdown continues, the national policy team is collaborating with coalition partners to communicate concerns of a continued shutdown with members of Congress and encouraging them to work together toward a solution that benefits all Americans.

This is to update information previously sent about potential Medicare regulations changes.

As of Oct. 1st, some Medicare telehealth restrictions went into effect. There is still very good chance that they will still be reversed temporarily or permanently. But for now, they are in effect.

For behavioral health, Medicare laws allow for telehealth permanently.

But there are some restrictions that will be in effect for now.

• For new clients after Oct. 1, it is required to see them at least once in-person prior to starting telehealth.

• There are no exceptions in place for this requirement.

• Ongoing clients do NOT have to have an initial in-person session at this point.

• For both new and ongoing clients, there will be requirement of one in-person visit annually.

• There are exceptions written into the regulations for this, with the following language in the Medicare rules

• If the patient and practitioner consider the risks and burdens of an in-person service and agree that … these outweigh the benefits … and the practitioner documents the basis for that decision in the patient’s medical record, then the in-person visit requirement is not applicable for that 12-month period

• Note that in-person does not necessarily mean office visit; home visits or meetings in other agreed-upon locations would be acceptable

This post from a Medicare expert expands further on all this, including the exceptions.

Should you choose to take on new Medicare clients at this time, you will need to be able to see them in-person for the first visit. For ongoing clients, there is a long lead time to figure out a plan for an in-person visit or to claim exceptions, given the 12-month period allotted.

Note also the following, as posted by National NASW:

Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have been directed to temporarily hold claims for 10 business days to avoid the need to re-process claims should Congress act to further extend the flexibilities.

So, there may be some delay in Medicare payments, but this also indicates that there is good chance that these restrictions may well be reversed soon.

NASW-MA is following closely, and will be posting updates on this topic through alerts, notices to our website, social media, postings to the Private Practice Google Group, listings in the monthly Chapter E-News, etc.

Best,

Barbara Burka, LICSW
Director of Clinical Practice
Director of Therapy Matcher
bburka.naswma@socialworkers.org

NASW-MA executive director, Rebekah Gewirtz, served on commission that created the report. Learn more about existing barriers and opportunities to advance diversity in the workforce by reading the report: https://www.bluecrossmafoundation.org/sites/g/files/csphws2101/files/acquiadam-assets/BH_Licensure_MA_FullReport_Sept25_FINAL.pdf