To accomplish this objective, we request that you set up a personal meeting with the Senator in his Oklahoma office. Senator Nickles is reluctant to meet with AAMFT lobbyists regarding this issue and needs to hear from constituents. Personal meetings are the most effective means of advocacy. Senators require written requests to schedule a meeting, so following this message is a sample letter that can be completed and submitted to his D.C. office.
If you cannot attend a meeting, a letter or phone call to Senator Nickles' office is also very effective and appreciated. We have taken the liberty of drafting a suggested letter for you to personalize and modify to reflect your practice and interest in Medicare reimbursement. If you would like to call, the phone number for the D.C. office is 202-224-5754.
If a meeting is arranged, please contact David Bergman at (202) 467-5105 so he can help you prepare. You should also contact David if you would like additional background material or have questions. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this crucial issue.
NOTE: TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE… OUR BEST CHANCE FOR SUCCESS IS TO GET IN TO SEE YOUR SENATOR BEFORE THE YEAR-END RECESS CONCLUDES ON JANUARY 24.
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January xx, 2000
The Honorable XXXXX
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator XXXXX
I am writing to request a meeting with you in XXXXX, preferably during the year-end recess, to discuss an issue that is very important to me, my profession and my clients. I am interested in talking about the status of Medicare legislation this year and my desire to obtain recognition of marriage and family therapists in the Medicare Program.
There are more than 46,000 licensed marriage and family therapists in the United States. Although marriage and family therapy is one of the five core mental health disciplines recognized by the Health Resources Services Administration, we are the only core mental health discipline not recognized by the Health Care Financing Administration. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important matter with you.
I can be reached at (xxx) xxx-xxxx and appreciate your consideration of my request.
Sincerely,
(Your Signature) *******
January xx, 2000
The Honorable XXXXXX
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator Nickles:
As a constituent and a practicing marriage and family therapist in (name of your city), I am writing to request your assistance with a major inequity problem in the Medicare program. Although marriage and family therapy is one of the five core mental health disciplines recognized by the Health Resources Services Administration for purposes of determining mental health shortage areas, MFTs are the only core mental health discipline not recognized by the Health Care Financing Administration. This issue impacts the more than 46,000 licensed marriage and family therapists in the United States and their countless elderly clients.
As Congress is currently considering restructuring the Medicare program and/or addressing problems with prescription drugs, I ask for your help championing legislation to provide recognition and coverage of marriage and family therapists in the Medicare Program.
I typically see XX clients a week for the treatment of moderate or severe mental disorders. However, due to the limitations of the Medicare program, I am unable to treat elderly individuals in my practice. MFTs are already recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Department of Defense (both in CHAMPUS and TRICARE), the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the private sector.
I request your leadership in obtaining recognition and coverage under Medicare Part B so that Medicare beneficiaries in need of mental health services, can obtain these covered services from a marriage and family therapist who is authorized to provide that service. MFTs possess a masters' level or doctoral degree in the field. I am not seeking to expand the scope of mental health services covered by Medicare, nor am I seeking to expand my scope of practice. Instead, I desire to correct an inequity that restricts beneficiaries access to a particular type of qualified mental health provider.
Elderly Americans deserve the right to access all qualified mental health providers under the Medicare program. Please let me know if I can count on you to take up this issue so important to my practice, profession and the Medicare beneficiaries in Oklahoma and throughout this nation.
Sincerely,
(Your Signataure)