In the coming weeks, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to release the final rule on the 2013 Medicare fee schedule, which will include important information for psychologists who treat Medicare beneficiaries. There are four factors related to Medicare policy that could impact actual reimbursement rates for psychologists, three of which affect the entire range of services provided by psychologists. To learn more CLICK HERE

Click on the file below to view a chart of the new CPT codes

There are two upcoming Eating Disorders Blue Ribbon Panels in MO.  Annie Seal, the coordinator, is still trying to find panelists for both markets.  The goal is to receive input from the community about eating disorders to consider having eating disorders as a covered health condition in Missouri.

Two MO Eating Disorders Blue Ribbon Panels titled "Let's Talk About It"  are scheduled for Warrensburg and Kansas City.  Panels will be conducted as round-table discussions on the various issues surrounding eating disorders.  If you have professional experience with eating disorders or have been personally affected, your voice is welcome. Please help us as as we strive to bring focus and attention to eating disorders.

July 25, Warrensburg, MO - 3:30pm - 5:00pm 
Johnson County Community Health Services - 723 PCA Road, Warrensburg, MO

July 26, Kansas City, MO - 9:30am - 12:00noon
Research Medical Center - 2316 East Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO

Please email Annie Seal at annieseal@sbcglobal.net to confirm your participation and let us know here at MOPA if you have reached out to Ms. Seal: CLICK HERE

From:  Steve Walfish

Re:     Div 42

I am President-elect of APA Division 42. We are currently actively recruiting new members and thought 42 might be of interest to psychologists in Missouri, as well as graduate students/interns/postdocs who have an  interest in pursuing independent practice as a career path.

The "price is right" for joining 42 this year. That is, "IT'S FREE!" We want to expose as many people as possible to our active listserve, the Independent Practitioner (the quarterly Bulletin), and the resources on our Members Only section of the 42 website.

One does not have to be APA member to belong to 42. If anyone is interested in joining they may contact Stephanie Mihalas, Membership Chair at drstephaniemihalas@GMAIL.COM and she will give them all of the info they need to join.

Thanks for your consideration,
Steven Walfish, Ph.D.
Atlanta
www.ThePracticeInstitute.com

This is a post submitted by Keely Kolmes Psy.D. on May 12, 2012 - 12:51 on the Div 42 website for the public.


The Division 42 Advocacy Committee recently posted the article "Implementation of Mental Health Parity" in the Spring 2012 edition of the Independent Practitioner.  You can download this article in pdf format, below.

Download: Parity Survey Report for IP

Dear members,

Please click the link below to send a message to Gov. Nixon asking him to support the creation of the Missouri Eating Disorder Council. This is another step to passing legislation mandating insurance coverage of eating disorders and another step in ensuring that Missourians suffering with this disorder get the care they deserve. 

http://www.capwiz.com/apapractice/mo/issues/alert/?alertid=61326181&



Thank you for your time and efforts,
Richard P. Martielli, Ph.D., ABPP
President Missouri Psychological Association 

ASPPB (Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards – the association for the licensing boards) has published its second version of proposed guidelines to revise how psychologists can earn continuing education credits.  They are moving away from strict CPE and toward a more global idea of professional development.  Specific recommendations are included in the recommended guidelines.  If the guidelines are ultimately adopted, remember that they are not binding upon the states.  However, the state licensing boards may seek to change our existing laws or rules to reflect these new provisions

ASPPB is accepting comment on these guidelines
 http://www.asppb.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3572 is the link to the guidelines and comment submission. 

States and individual psychologists can comment.

Dear Colleague:

As you may be aware, APA is undertaking a process to develop clinical treatment guidelines.  A panel to develop guidelines for the treatment of depression across the lifespan was recently appointed. Attached are calls for nominations of individuals to serve on panels that will develop guidelines for the treatment of obesity and guidelines for the treatment of PTSD.  Those interested in being considered to serve on either of these panels are asked to submit a brief statement indicating their qualifications and willingness to serve and a CV.  Materials are due by June 18, 2012, and should be submitted to ctg@apa.org with “obesity panel” or “PTSD panel” in the subject line.

You are encouraged to circulate this call for nominations to your contacts and professional networks.
For additional background on this APA initiative, see:

Development of new panels
http://www.apapracticecentral.org/update/2012/04-12/obesity-ptsd.aspx
Appointment of depression panel
http://www.apapracticecentral.org/update/2012/04-12/depression.aspx

Respectfully,

Lynn F. Bufka, PhD
American Psychological Association

Lynn Bufka, PhD | Assistant Executive Director, Practice Research and Policy
Practice Directorate
American Psychological Association 
750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 
Tel: (202) 336-5869 |  Fax: (202) 336-5797
email: lbufka@apa.org | www.apa.org

Dear members,

If you are interested in learning more about how health care reform policy will be shaped in the coming years with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), I encourage you to sign up for this free webinar sponsored by the website www.statereforum.org.


Details:
Title: Building It from the Ground Up: A Conversation with State Health Insurance Exchange Leaders
Date: Thu, Apr 12, 2012
Time: 02:30 PM EDT
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Host(s): Rachel Dolan

Link to register:
https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/showReg?udc=pe78uh2m2g73

Richard P. Martielli, Ph.D., ABPP
MOPA President

Div 53  (Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology) conducted a survey of psychologists regarding their perceptions of how our field will change in the next couple of decades.
                              The results can be found here.