II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 483 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 3, 2011 Ms. Snowe (for herself and Mr. Bingaman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for treatment of clinical psychologists as physicians for purposes of furnishing clinical psychologist services under the Medicare program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Medicare Mental Health Access Act.

2.

Treatment of clinical psychologists as physicians for purposes of furnishing clinical psychologist services

(a)

In general

The first sentence of section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(r)) is amended— (1)by striking or before (5); and (2)by inserting before the period the following: , or (6) a clinical psychologist, but only with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services described in subsection (ii) for which the psychologist is legally authorized to perform by the State and who is acting within the scope of the psychologist’s license (or other authorization under State law). (b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2012.