Medicare Policy Update December 2023

(See the end of the email for the bullet-point summary.)

As you may already be aware, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriages and Family Therapists recently updated their continuing education requirements, Rule §801.261.

From the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (TSBEMFT):

On August 6th, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services regarding gender-affirming care for children and adolescents. In response, the TAMFT board signed a joint letter with other Texas mental health professional organizations, communicating our collective concern for how these changes would directly and significantly impact our ability to practice.

The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) has launched new modules for the online licensing system.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jodie Elder, Ph.D. and reappointed Anthony Scoma, D.Min. and Evelyn Husband Thompson to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists for terms set to expire on February 1, 2027. The board licenses and regulates Marriage and Family Therapists in Texas.

If you are a mental health professional concerned with the well-being of families, couples, and individuals in the State of Texas, the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy would like to know how we can better serve you. Please take the time to complete this 3-question survey for a chance to win one of several Amazon gift cards. Your responses will be anonymous. 

To provide better customer service and greater efficiency, the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council is moving toward online applications for each of its licensing programs.

Your TAMFT Board is proud to represent you by attending regular TSBEMFT meetings. You may download a full report of the most recent TSBEMFT meeting here.

TAMFT Legislative Update: BHEC Requests Attorney General Clarification on Authority to Adopt Code of Conduct Rules

By way of a quick update on an important action taken late Monday by the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), please see the anticipated Attorney General’s opinion request linked here, seeking legal clarification in connection with proposed rules changes to a social worker’s “Code of Conduct” affecting their anti-discrimination rules as promulgated by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners alongside their licensure statute.

BHEC Votes to Restore Anti-Discrimination Language in 

Social Worker Code of Conduct 

TAMFT Statement on Recent Changes to Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners' Code of Conduct

TAMFT has taken note of the proposed changes approved by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners, in connection with certain anti-discriminatory provisions contained in their code of conduct. While we appreciate the gravity of this issue facing licensed social workers in Texas, we wanted to express our thoughts on the matter to help inform our members:

TSBEMFT OCTOBER 2020 UPDATE

On Wednesday, October 21, Governor Abbott's office officially announced the appointment of three new members to the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, which licenses and regulates marriage and family therapists in Texas.

TAMFT Legislative Update: Governor Abbott, HHSC Extend Flexibilities for Medicaid, CHIP Providers During COVID-19 Response

TSBEMFT Update: New BHEC Website

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists is an independent licensing board administratively attached to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The Board, as an independent entity, maintains a management structure and decision-making authority separate from HHSC. This message is an official communication from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists that TAMFT wanted to share with its members:

TSBEMFT Update: TSBEMFT Transfer to BHEC and Impact on August Renewals and Current and Future Applicants

TAMFT recently received the following update from TSBEMFT. Please take note of this important information.

Legislative Update: TDI Extends Telemedicine Emergency Rule Into September

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is extending a requirement that insurers cover telemedicine services, including mental health visits, at the same rate as in-person visits. An emergency rule in place since March helps doctors across Texas treat their patients and limit the spread of COVID-19.

BHEC Releases Non-Discrimination Statement

The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council recently released a non-discrimination statement, shared below:

We See You: A Letter From President Linda Metcalf

Dear TAMFT Members and Friends,