The Occupational Therapy (OT) Mental Health Parity Act (S. 4712) is a legislation that was introduced in the U.S. Senate to clarify coverage for OT services under Medicare and Medicaid programs. The key purpose of this bill is to expand access to treatment for millions of Medicare beneficiaries by enabling the reimbursement of OT services in community-based mental health and recovery programs for people with mental health and substance use diagnoses [1].

     As the need for mental health treatment services increases, OT practitioners are facing a difficult challenge in providing and billing for services that do not address physically related performance deficits [2]. One out of every five Americans have been diagnosed with a mental illness, and more than 20 million Americans have a substance use disorder, making this a prominent case [2]. Since there is no specific measure to audit when a staff carries out assessments, it makes it challenging to support improvement in clients [1]. There is a significant need for systemic and engaging approaches which the OT Mental Health Parity Act can provide for everyone [3]. The bill requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) to expand Medicare coverage of OT services to treat mental health and substance use disorders [4].

     Passing the OT Mental Health Parity Act will expand access to OT services for mental and behavioral health services under Medicare and Medicaid [3]. It will create an opportunity to emphasize the value and benefit of OT services, beyond only addressing physical health needs [2]. By including coverage of OT in mental health settings, we can help to improve patient outcomes for those with mental health diagnoses and behavioral health impairments, in the same way OT has been proven to do so with those with heart failure, pneumonia, and acute myocardial infarction [2].

     Occupational therapists can help patients by introducing activities or lifestyle adjustments that will be pivotal for an individual’s treatment and recovery [4]. We would appreciate your consideration in signing and sharing this petition to spread awareness regarding the coverage for mental health and substance use treatment and how OTs can positively impact recovery outcomes. 

[1] Senators Hassan and Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Occupational Therapy for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. (2022). Maggie Hassan. https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-hassan-and-scott-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-access-to-occupational-therapy-for-mental-health-and-substance-use-disorders

[2] Parsons, H. (2022). Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act introduced in Senate. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/2022/ot-mental-health-parity-act 

[3] Ige, J. J., & Hunt, D. F. (2022). Quality improvement project to improve the standardization and efficiency of occupational therapy initial contact and assessment within a mental health inpatient service. BMJ Open Quality, 11(4), e001932. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001932

[4] Department of Health and Human Services. (2017). MLN Matters. The American Hospital Association. https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnmattersarticles/downloads/se1604.pdf