SUMMARY AS OF:
10/25/2000--Introduced.
Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII
(Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) repeal the current formula
for calculating expenses for treatment of mental disorders; and thus (2) provide
for Medicare beneficiary copayments for outpatient mental health services that
are the same as beneficiary copayments for other Medicare part B (Supplementary
Medical Insurance) services.
Amends Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) to provide for coverage of
intensive residential services.
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to
Congress on whether the criteria for Medicare coverage of any therapy service
(including occupational and physical therapy) or any outpatient mental health
care service unduly restricts the access to such a service of any Medicare
beneficiary diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related mental illness
because the coverage criteria requires the beneficiary to display continuing
clinical improvement to continue to receive the service.
Amends Medicare to: (1) cover mental health counselor services; and (2)
exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled
nursing facility prospective payment system.