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We're social distancing & have moved our upcoming events online!
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Join us as Joe X. Cantu, LMFT, local Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) trainer and therapist, presents an introduction to and demonstration of EFT at our next CEU event on Friday, March 12, 2021.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive information about our 2021 CEU events.
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Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) provides updated PDF compilation of MFT Rules
10/08/2020
https://www.bhec.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/October-2020-LMFT.pdf
"House Committee Passes Mental Health Legislation
9/10/2020
Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved HR 945 in an historic vote supporting Medicare coverage for the counseling profession. While this legislation has passed both the House and Senate twice over the years, never before has the bill been voted on as a standalone measure rather than part of a broader package.
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr’s (D-NJ) opening remarks described HR 945 as “bipartisan legislation that would improve access to mental health providers in the Medicare program by covering mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist services.”
The sponsors of HR 945, Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and John Katko (R-NY), fought hard for inclusion of the legislation in the markup. They worked closely with committee staff and Members to build support for passage. Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) also pushed for the bill, speaking on its behalf at the markup calling it a “blessing” and stating that “passage is a priority to me.” The Committee reported the bill to the full House by voice vote.
The future of HR 945 in this Congress is difficult to forecast. There are limited legislative workdays before Members leave for campaigning in October, although there is expected to be a post-election lame duck session that may provide additional opportunity. Further, a Senate calendar packed with COVID relief legislation and annual appropriations is offering little room for movement of our Senate companion bill, S. 286.
While the President’s signature cannot be guaranteed in the 116th Congress, this historic vote shouldn’t be underestimated. There remain paths for passage this year, and even if success is elusive, the Committee approval strengthens the chance for approval in the next Congress when mental health legislation is anticipated."
Beginning 9/1/20, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) entity that has been running the LMFT licensing board will be taken over by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC). BHEC will oversee the licensing boards for LMFT, LPC, LCSW, & Psychologists.
There are 3 big changes we want to bring to your attention:
- Starting 9/1/20, all licensees are required to renew licenses online through the Texas BHEC website: http://www.bhec.texas.gov/online-license-renewal-system/index.html
- Effective 9/1/20, all licensees are required to have a continuing education course on human trafficking prevention before renewal: "The 86th Texas Legislature introduced Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 116, Training Course on Human Trafficking Prevention, which requires a health care practitioner, such as an LMFT or LMFT Associate to successfully complete an HHSC-approved Human Trafficking Prevention training course as a condition for renewal of a license on or after September 1, 2020. Information about approved courses are available on HHSC’s Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Training webpage." https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mft/mft_ceinfo.shtm
- Beginning 3/31/21, all licensees are required to undergo a fingerprinting process in order to renew our license: "Beginning with LPC, LMFT, and Social Work licensees with expiration dates of March 31, 2021, per Council rule 882.40(c), LPC, LMFT, and Social Work licensees must undergo a fingerprint based criminal history check as a condition of renewal. The instructions and forms needed to undergo a fingerprint based criminal history check will be made available on the Council’s Forms and Publications web page." http://www.bhec.texas.gov/forms-and-publications/index.html
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We are keeping abreast of any changes affecting mental health professionals on the state and national level, and we will continue to share the updates that we receive regarding Telehealth, HIPAA, and our licensing requirements as we become aware of them.
From Texas AMFT:
May 1, 2020 | Texas AMFT Legislative Update
"Abbott Approves Suspension of TSBEMFT Teletherapy Training Rule
Late last week, Texas Health & Human Services (HHSC) released a guidance letter (GL 20-5000) in connection with a waiver of certain telehealth rules for LMFTs and LMFT Associates to provide counseling services to clients via audio and video without first receiving the education, training, or supervised experience as required by TSBEMFT’s current rule. The TSBEMFT rule was suspended by Governor Abbott and shall remain so until terminated by the Governor, or until the disaster declaration is lifted or expires.
Under this waiver, LMFTs and LMFT Associates (under appropriate supervision) may immediately provide counseling to clients via audio and video services without receiving education, training, or supervised experience in the specific technology. In addition, LMFTs and LMFT Associates will not be required to maintain documentation of their training or supervision related to technology-assisted services at this time. LMFTs and LMFT Associates will be required to comply with the original provisions at a later date, as required by HHSC.
TAMFT and TSBEMFT encourage members to seek out appropriate introductory training before conducting teletherapy. TAMFT offers several introductory courses on its course site, including How to Start a Telemental Health Practice and Questions About Teletherapy in the Era of COVID-19 Webinar. TAMFT reminds members that once the suspension is lifted, Texas MFTs must complete all training hours to continue teletherapy."
From DSHS:
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mft/default.shtm
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The Governor has created a process to request temporary waiver of rules and statutes related to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. To this end, the board is in the process of determining which rules and statutes will be most effective from a waiver standpoint. The board is reviewing rules regarding submission deadlines, exam deadlines, technologically assisted practice, among others. As these waivers are granted this site will be updated with that information. The board appreciates your patience and your dedication to the citizens of Texas. Update 03/18/2020 - On Monday, March 16th, the board submitted a waiver request to the Governor’s Office requesting temporary waiver of §801.58(d) of the board’s rules requiring 15 hours of training prior to engaging in technologically assisted counseling. We will update this page when we receive a response from the Governor’s Office. |
From Governor Abbott’s office:
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-waives-certain-regulations-for-telemedicine-care-in-texas
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March 17, 2020 | Austin, Texas | Press Release Governor Greg Abbott today waived certain regulations and directed that the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) issue an emergency rule, all relating to telemedicine care for patients with state-regulated insurance plans to help doctors across Texas continue to treat their patients while mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The suspensions and emergency rule will work together to allow telemedicine visits for patients with state-regulated plans to be paid the same as in-office visits for insurance purposes. These actions build upon waivers the Governor issued last week of portions in the Occupations Code to expand provider flexibility in providing medical services over the phone. “As the State of Texas responds to COVID-19, we continue to work to maintain regular health care services and operations throughout the state, and telemedicine is one of the most valuable tools we have to ensure Texans continue to receive the health services they need,” said Governor Abbott. “Expanding telemedicine options will help protect the health of patients and health care professionals, and help Texas mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” Doctors will be eligible for payment from insurance plans regulated by TDI for medical visits they conduct over the phone instead of in-person at the same rate they would receive for in-person visits. Medical providers seeking guidance on the impact of the new rule can expect guidance from the Texas Medical Board to be issued in the coming days, including administrative guidance for billing to ensure that claims are processed smoothly. Insurers seeking guidance on implementation of the emergency rule should contact TDI or visit their webpage for more information. This coordinated efforts between the Office of the Governor, the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Medical Board, and health insurance plans will increase access to health care for all Texans. Today’s action will expand telemedicine options by giving health care providers greater flexibility to perform audio-only telephone consultations with their patients. As a reminder, Texans covered by CHIP or Medicaid will not be charged copays for test or telemedicine consults. Individuals covered by Medicare or large employer plans should check with their health plan administrator to determine their specific benefits. |
From the US Dept of Health and Human Services:
March 17, 2020 OCR Announces Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced, effective immediately, that it will exercise its enforcement discretion and will waive potential penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients through everyday communications technologies during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency. This exercise of discretion applies to widely available communications apps, such as FaceTime or Skype, when used in good faith for any telehealth treatment or diagnostic purpose, regardless of whether the telehealth service is directly related to COVID-19. In support of this action, OCR will be providing further guidance explaining how covered health care providers can use remote video communication products and offer telehealth to patients responsibly. "We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency," said Roger Severino, OCR Director. "We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities," Severino added. The Notification of Enforcement Discretion on telehealth remote communications may be found at: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html. For more information on HIPAA and COVID-19, see OCR's February 2020 Bulletin: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/february-2020-hipaa-and-novel-coronavirus.pdf |
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MONTHLY MEETINGS Meetings are currently held online the 2nd Friday of each month (except for July & December).
Upcoming Events
| become An AUSTIN AMFT memberWe are the Austin Chapter of The Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT) and a division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). By becoming an Austin AMFT member, you're committing your support to the advancement of the field Marriage and Family Therapy in Austin, Texas. have ideas for upcoming ceu events?We're currently recruiting speakers to present at our monthly meetings this year. We're committed to finding passionate and knowledgeable speakers to offer educational talks on a wide variety of clinical topics that benefit the Austin AMFT Community. Austin AMFT is particularly interested in presenting topics that are viewed through a systemic lens and that focus on how the work impacts the family system, community, or sociocultural spheres. Topics may be geared toward work with individuals, families or couples. If you or someone you know might be a good fit, please submit a proposal below! |