A bill to amend the Social Security Act with respect to professional mental health services.

Summary

Amends title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) of the Social Security Act to establish a National Professional Mental Health Services Commission (the Commission) appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Sets forth the membership requirements for such Commission. Requires the Commission to determine which professional mental health services are safe, effective, and appropriate in treating specified mental problems and to make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to their reimbursement. Directs the Commission to determine the conditions for which it would recommend a physical examination by a physician. Directs the Commission to provide information and data to the National Professional Standards Review Council. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the Secretary for the establishment of a professional review program to review regularly the validity and adequacy of professional mental health care. Directs the Commission to recommend research projects to assist it in carrying out its duties. Directs the Secretary to conduct such projects except where the Secretary specifically disapproves a requested study or requires additional information from the Commission. Establishes a physician advisory panel to assist the Commission in determining which mental health services should be performed only by a physician. Sets forth the membership of such panel. Directs the panel to report to the Secretary if it disagrees with any of the Commission's recommendations. Requires the Office of Technology Assessment to report to Congress on the Commission's effectiveness in carrying out its duties. States that the Commission shall cease to exist after December 31, 1990. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase the benefits in connection with the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders of an individual who is not an inpatient at a hospital to a maximum of $1,000. Provides medicare coverage for the services of a mental health specialist. Directs the Commission to conduct a study on the need for: (1) inclusion under Medicare of any additional professional mental health services; and (2) safeguards relating to cost, safety, and quality of such services. Requires the Commission to report its findings to the Secretary.

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1 official file

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 6 March 1981

  Open at official source

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