April 3, 2025

As an organization dedicated to the needs of our patients, licensed clinical social workers and the practice of clinical social work, the Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA) strongly opposes the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to eradicate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These actions contradict the foundational values of social work, threaten the well-being of marginalized individuals and communities, and hinder clinical social workers’ efforts to ensure equitable access to society’s benefits.

Our profession is built on a commitment to both mental health and social justice, ensuring that all individuals—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status—have access to equitable opportunities and care. The dismantling of DEI initiatives undermines these efforts, reinforcing systemic disparities and eroding progress toward a more just society.

The dignity and worth of the person-in-environment is central to clinical social work. We recognize that acknowledging and addressing systemic inequities is essential to affirming the humanity of all individuals. The importance of human relationships further compels us to foster inclusive spaces that support diverse voices and lived experiences.

As social workers, we are bound by the principles of integrity and competence, requiring us to base our practice on evidence and ethical responsibility. Decades of research affirm that culturally competent and inclusive approaches improve client outcomes, making DEI efforts a professional necessity, not a political choice.

CSWA stands firmly against policies that seek to erase or delegitimize DEI initiatives. The attack on DEI principles is a misguided and harmful attack on our profession and the people we serve. We call upon policymakers, educators, and practitioners to uphold the field of clinical social work’s mission by advocating for policies that promote inclusivity, equity, and the well-being of all communities.

Stephanie Payne, LCSW, President

Laura W. Groshong, LICSW, Director of Policy and Practice

March 27, 2025

An incident has come up in which our professional information may have been – or may be – taken and used without your permission. Here are the details and ways to protect your practices.

7 Cups of Tea

A few days ago, a new attempt to use the professional information of LCSWs to direct potential patients to another website and other therapists emerged. It is called 7 Cups of Tea. The information appears to have been taken from Psychology Today profiles and put into their website, as if we were working for 7 Cups. This is the same tactic that was used by a company called CareDash in 2022. The difference is that CareDash used data taken from our NPI accounts. Following complaints filed to the Federal Trade Commission, CareDash’s parent company shut down the business.

To protect ourselves from having patients sent to other clinicians without our permission, there are several steps that need to be taken as follows:

1. Google “7 cups [your name]” to confirm that you have been listed on this website. This is more likely if you have a Psychology Today profile.

2. Once you see your name is listed, go to https://help.7cups.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=36000205411 and use the drop down box to “delete my information”.

3. You should receive confirmation that your request was received in the next 24 hours. If you do not, send your request again.

4. Contact your Insurance Commissioner about this attempt to stop potential clients from contacting you.

5. Contact 7 Cups' legal department at legal@7cups.com or have your attorney contact them and ask to have them to “cease and desist” using your professional information. If you prefer to use their mailing address, it is 7 Cups of Tea Company, 1201 Orange Street, #600, Wilmington, Delaware 19899.

6. Contact your state Attorney General with this information and ask them to investigate as this seems to violate the Lanham Act which is designed to keep companies from profiting from the name and professional qualifications of others without consent.

Please let reach out to Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director of Policy and Practice, at lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org with any questions. 

March 17, 2025

As CSWA predicted, the Continuing Resolution to keep the Federal government running passed the Senate on March 14, having already passed the House, with the stipulation that telemental health, telehealth, and audio-only treatment through Medicare be continued for six months beginning April 1, 2025. This means that there will need to be another vote to continue coverage of telemental health after October 1, 2025. As we know, most commercial insurers follow the Medicare policies.

An even better outcome is that the in-person requirement every 6 or 12 months is put on hold as well.

The text of the Continuing Resolution that confirms this in the Federal Register as follows:

p. 93 of CR

(d) DELAYING THE IN-PERSON REQUIREMENTS UNDER MEDICARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FURNISHED THROUGH TELEHEALTH AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY.— (1) DELAY IN REQUIREMENTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FURNISHED THROUGH TELEHEALTH.—Section 1834(m)(7)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)(B)(i)) is amended, in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking ‘‘on or after April 1, 2025’’ and inserting ‘‘on or after October 1, 2025,’’

(e) ALLOWING FOR THE FURNISHING OF AUDIO ONLY TELEHEALTH SERVICES.—Section 1834(m)(9) of VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:32 Mar 11, 2025 •HR 1968 EH  the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9)) is amended by striking ‘‘ending on March 31, 2025’’ and inserting ‘‘ending on September 30, 2025’’.

Thanks to all who wrote to members of Congress.

March 13, 2025

Since CSWA published the Statement on Gender Executive Order on February 9, 2025, and the Retraction of the Statement on February 14, 2025, we have received multiple emails from members in response. We would like to give some context for where CSWA stands now on this important issue.

The blanket rejection of transgender treatment by the current administration is harmful to our patients and other individuals who are navigating their gender identity journeys. CSWA continues to stand by its beliefs that LCSWs have a fundamental ethical responsibility to honor and support individuals’ rights to self-determination. We also continue to affirm the right of transgender individuals to express their gender identity in a manner that promotes their mental health.

The responses have identified two major issues that led to the retraction of the original statements that require clarification. First, we used a term that is clearly out of date and should not be used when referring to gender identity. CSWA apologizes for the use of this language, and will not be using the term in the future. We are committed to ongoing professional development.

The second issue was much more controversial: the reference to the Cass Review in the original statement. The many comments on this study were quite divided, as were the comments on the retraction. There is a split in the field about whether the Cass Review is a valid document. Some members felt it was inappropriate to include it, some felt it was a major study that has some good points.

CSWA will continue to monitor the most current data that supports the mental health of the trans community in the hopes that a consensus emerges that aligns with our core social work value focused on the dignity and worth of the individual.

Thanks to all who took the time to educate CSWA on the state of current knowledge about treatment of transgender individuals.

 

Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director of Policy and Practice

Stephanie Payne, LCSW, CSWA President

CSWA Board of Directors

March 7, 2025

It is clear from the responses that CSWA has received to our post yesterday that there is more to say about asking patients to advocate for continuing telemental health as an option for delivery of mental health delivery treatment.

Asking patients to contact their elected representatives should only be done with patients who are not vulnerable or fragile. This is an unusual situation which affects both LCSWs and patients. Discussing the meaning of the LCSW asking for the patient’s help, the feelings which are stirred up by this, and the way it connects with the patient’s past, is of course recommended with any patient who is asked to contact legislators. This is not a requirement, only an option, if it is appropriate to each clinician with each patient.

Additionally, some members expressed concern about risks to patients if they voluntarily disclose that they are receiving services for mental health or substance use. This should also be considered and discussed with clients.

Many LCSWs do not have in-person offices any more so virtual treatment is all that they can offer. Many patients have come to treatment because they had difficulty getting to an office and need the telemental health option. To reiterate, time is short as virtual treatment may end on March 31 of this month.

In light of the concerns that CSWA has heard, for members who, after assessment, decide that a patient may be willing and able to contact legislators in Congress, here is revised language for them to use: “I am your constituent and believe that the following action is essential for the mental wellbeing of all citizens. Please extend Medicare coverage of telemental health treatment which is currently scheduled to end on March 31.”

CSWA always welcomes feedback from our members. Contact Laura Groshong, LICSW, Director of Policy and Practice, at lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org.

March 6, 2025

The Clinical Social Work Association is continuing to monitor the threat to continuation of telemental health coverage that we communicated to you about on February 25th and 28th. However, patients may not be aware that there is a chance that continued coverage of telemental health by Medicare and commercial insurers is at risk. The Clinical Social Work Association would encourage clinicians to consider asking clients to share their concerns with their elected officials. We are offering this message and legislative alert wording, included below, as a way to educate patients about letting members of Congress and state legislators know that this is something they oppose.

Here is a summary of what could happen if Congress does not acts in different ways to extend telemental health by March 31, 2025.

Possible Congressional Actions

Congress could extend telemental health through a stand-alone bill. This would achieve the goal of allowing insurance payments to continue but seems very unlikely.

Congress could attach telemental health to other bills that are moving, the most likely one being the Congressional Resolution, which will be needed to pass a budget to keep the government running as of March 14. This is a possibility.

Congress will address continuing coverage of telemental health after the March 31 deadline, but there will be a delay of a few weeks, which may cover the time when there was no coverage. This is a possibility but would cause confusion and uncertainty.

Congress will do nothing and there be no Medicare or private insurance coverage of telemental health. This is unlikely.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT

It is a good time to let your members of Congress know that you and your patients want a prompt continuation of telemental health in Medicare. Here is a template your patients can use: “I am a constituent who is concerned about the lack of Medicare telemental health coverage after March 31, 2025. It will be very harmful to people like me who rely on telemental health to resolve the mental health and/or substance use problems I face. I have received excellent care using telemental health and would be harmed if it ended. Additionally, it would be impossible for me to meet with my clinical social worker in person, so I ask that the requirement that I meet with mental health clinicians in person every 6 or 12 months be eliminated. I urge you to extend Medicare telemental health coverage permanently as soon as possible.” Ask your patients to send their messages to their senators and representative at https://www.congress.gov/contact-us. If you haven’t already, when you send a message to your Senators and Representative, identify yourself as a Clinical Social Worker and let them know how providing telehealth has impacted your patients positively, and how destructive losing that treatment could be to their constituents.

CSWA hopes this is helpful to patients being seen virtually currently or in the future. Thanks to you and your patients for help with this crucial issue.

Contact: Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director of Policy and Practice at lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org

March 3, 2025

Linked here, please find the comments which CSWA has submitted to DHHS and OCR regarding the new proposed HIPAA Security Rules which would significantly increase our responsibility for preventing breaches of any information we store electronically. Sole practitioners are being asked to develop the kinds of software protections that large institutions have in place. CSWA is not in support of these Rules and has explained why in the statement linked above.

If you would like to send your own comments to OCR, whether in support of CSWA’s position or not, feel free to do so. Use your own words or the language in our statement. Send comments to https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/06/2024-30983/hipaa-security-rule-to-strengthen-the-cybersecurity-of-electronic-protected-health-information#open-comment by COB on March 7, 2025.

February 28, 2025

Below is a follow up to the message on this topic that was sent earlier this week.

Thanks to all of you who contacted your members of Congress (150 and counting)! This is the best way to confirm continuation of Medicare coverage. Please continue to send messages if you have not done so.

As was noted in the first post, there are differing opinions on whether Medicare telemental health is already covered. CSWA is taking a conservative approach and making sure that members of Congress have this on their radar, regardless.

Another issue which some members raised was the concern about seeing patients once every six or twelve months in-person. There is a way to avoid this in CMS Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Physician Fee Schedule, page 69464, which reads as follows:

Are there exceptions for the subsequent in-person visit every 12 months?

Yes, for both established and new patients. In the CY 2022 CMS PFS final rule CMS stated: “Specifically, if the patient and practitioner agree that the benefits of an in-person, non-telehealth service within 12 months of the mental health telehealth service are outweighed by risks and burdens associated with an in-person service, and the basis for that decision is documented in the patient’s medical record, the in-person visit requirement will not apply for that particular 12-month period. For example, situations in which the risks and burdens associated with an in-person service may outweigh the benefit could include, but are not limited to, instances when an in-person service is likely to cause disruption in service delivery or has the potential to worsen the patient’s condition(s). The risks and burdens associated with an in-person service could also outweigh the benefit if a patient is in partial or full remission and only requires a maintenance level of care. Other examples of such instances may include the clinician’s professional judgment that the patient is clinically stable and/or that an in-person visit has the risk of worsening the patient’s condition, creating undue hardship on self or family, or if it is determined that the patient is at risk for disengagement with care that has been effective in managing the illness. Practitioners must also document that the patient has the ability to obtain any needed point of care testing, including vital sign monitoring and laboratory studies. Practitioners must note the exception for any applicable 12-month interval.”

This exception should allow LCSWs to claim it would be detrimental to treatment goals if a patient was required to come see the therapist in person. Be sure to document this in the Medical Record.

As always, please let Laura know if you have any questions and when you have sent messages to Congress by emailing her at lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org.

February 25, 2025

We know many of you are worried about continued coverage of telemental health by Medicare which, if discontinued, will likely lead to changes in coverage by commercial insurers. It is a difficult situation as many LCSWs have gone to fully telehealth practices. Here is what we know about what may happen in the next month.

Medicare and Me

Several members have told Laura Groshong, CSWA Director of Policy and Practice, about the statement in the Medicare and Me manual which says that mental health and substance use will continue to have telemental health coverage in 2025. That does not appear to be the case at the moment, as discussions of telehealth coverage include mental health treatment. Congress needs to pass a law that will make all telehealth coverage continue.

Possible Congressional Actions

All of the options below have been proposed by different members of Congress.

- Congress could extend telemental health through a stand-alone bill. This seems very unlikely.

- Congress could attach telemental health to other bills that are moving. The most likely one would be the Congressional Resolution, which will be needed to pass a budget to keep the government running as of March 14. This is a possibility.

- Congress will address continuing coverage of telemental health after the March 31 deadline but there will be a delay of a few weeks, which may cover the time when there was no coverage. This is a possibility.

- Congress will do nothing and there be no Medicare coverage of telemental health. This is unlikely.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Now is a good time to let your members of Congress know that you want a prompt continuation of telemental health in Medicare. Here is a template you can use to send them: “I am a licensed clinical social worker, a member of the Clinical Social Work Association, and a constituent. It will be very harmful to vulnerable patients with serious mental health and substance use problems if they cannot continue to work with me using telemental health. Many patients who were unable to get help in person have done very well using this delivery system. I urge you to extend Medicare telemental health coverage permanently as soon as possible.” Send your messages to your senators and representative at https://www.congress.gov/contact-us.

As always, please let Laura know when you have sent your messages and/or if you have any questions by emailing her at lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org. 

February 14, 2025

In an attempt to respond to the Executive Order on best practices regarding treatment of transgender individuals quickly, the Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA) provided a statement that cited the Cass Review, which according to several specialists working with this population, is not reputable.

CSWA stands by its beliefs that LCSWs have a fundamental ethical responsibility to honor and support patients’ rights to self-determination. We also continue to affirm the right of transgender individuals to express their gender identity in a manner that promotes their mental health.

CSWA is therefore retracting the original Statement and will continue to learn more about the ways that transgender individuals can be supported by LCSWs. A new statement will be issued in the near future.

CSWA apologizes for the reference to the Cass Review and appreciates members who provided us with earnest feedback.