Allow non-physician bonuses in shortage areas
Recommendation
Congress should pass legislation allowing for psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and other non-physician practitioners to receive bonuses when they practice in shortage areas.[1]
Background/summary
As of June 2023, 163 million Americans were living in mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)[2] with an insufficient number of healthcare professionals relative to the population’s health needs.[3] According to the Commonwealth Fund, in 2021, fewer than half of people with a mental health condition were able to access timely care; those with substance use disorders were even less likely.[4] This has particularly impacted underserved communities.[5]
To address this gap, Medicare’s HPSA Physician Bonus Program pays a 10 percent quarterly bonus to medical doctors when they provide services in an HPSA.[6][7] These bonuses should be expanded to include non-physician providers.[1] The Senate Finance Committee included this change in its 2022 Mental Health Workforce Enhancement Discussion Draft.[1][8]
citations
1. U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Bipartisan Mental Health Care Provisions. Last Updated September 22, 2022.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. Health Workforce Shortage Areas. Last Updated July 25, 2023.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. What Is Shortage Designation? Last Updated June 2023.
4. The Commonwealth Fund. Understanding the U.S. Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage. Last Updated May 18. 2023.
5. Bipartisan Policy Center. Filling the Gaps in the Behavioral Health Workforce. Last Updated January 17, 2023.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Physician Bonuses. Last Updated November 16, 2022.
7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Fact Sheet: Health Professional Shortage Area Physician Bonus Program. Last Updated June 2022.
8. U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Wyden, Crapo, Stabenow, Daines Unveil Mental Health Workforce Enhancement Discussion Draft (Press Release). Last Updated September 22, 2022.