Blue Cross Blue Shield's recent decision to cut reimbursement for Limited License therapists by 20% starting September 2026 is a direct attack on the mental health care system in Michigan. This change means therapists will earn 20% less pay an hour per client, making it practically unsustainable for many to continue their practice. But it doesn’t stop there; by February 2027, BCBS plans to remove Limited License therapists from their approved provider list entirely, except in for-profit hospital systems.

This isn't just an issue impacting therapists—it affects all of us. When therapists face financial cuts, it reduces the number of professionals available to serve our communities. Longer waitlists and less access to mental health care becomes the new normal. People in need of therapy, especially those seeking more affordable options, will find it harder to get the support they desperately require. In a field already challenged by rigorous licensing requirements and high costs, this decision exacerbates the barriers for both new and experienced therapists.

I’m living through this, along with countless others. Many Limited License therapists, despite having years of valuable experience, are bound to licenses that restrict their earnings. Being devalued in this way affects not only our livelihoods but the quality of care we can offer. Shouldn't we be encouraging more professionals into the mental health field, not pushing them out?

This decision could lead to a future with fewer mental health professionals as well as overwhelmed practitioners with larger caseloads, further impacting the quality of care. It's critical that we stand together and push back against these harmful changes. If BCBS goes through with their plans, it’s not just the therapists who will suffer but every individual in our community who needs mental health support.

Join us in urging Blue Cross Blue Shield to reconsider their decision. Protect the future of mental health care in Michigan. Sign the petition, and let’s demand that BCBS stop these unfair pay cuts for Limited License therapists.