Coverage and coding for qualified psychologist services furnished by advanced psychology trainees under the Medicare program

(a) Coverage (1) In general Section 1861(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ii)) is amended— (A) by inserting (1) after (ii); (B) in paragraph (1), as added by paragraph (1) of this section, by inserting (or furnished by an advanced psychology trainee under the general supervision of a clinical psychologist (as so defined) and billed by the supervising psychologist) after (as defined by the Secretary); and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) In this subsection: (A) The term advanced psychology trainee means— (i) a doctoral intern who is completing a required period of supervised experiential training through a program accredited by the American Psychological Association, not less than one year in duration, before being awarded a doctoral degree; or (ii) a postdoctoral resident who has obtained a doctoral degree in psychology, is seeking a license to practice psychology, and is engaged in a 1- or 2-year period of additional supervised experiential training to acquire the skills or hours required for licensure through a program accredited by the American Psychological Association or a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers. (B) The term general supervision means, with respect to a service, that the service is furnished under the overall direction and control of a clinical psychologist (as defined for purposes of paragraph (1)), but the supervising psychologist's presence is not required during the furnishing of the service.. (2) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to services furnished on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Development of GC modifier code Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop a GC modifier code to identify and accurately bill for services furnished by an advanced psychology trainee pursuant to the amendments made by subsection (a).