2.1 A certified
CSW may provide covered services independent of physician referral
and supervision when practicing within the scope of his or her license.
The CSW must meet the following criteria:
2.1.1 Is licensed
or certified as a CSW by the jurisdiction where practicing; or,
if the jurisdiction does not provide for licensure or certification
of CSWs, is certified by a national professional organization offering certification
of CSWs; and
2.1.2 Has at least a master’s degree
in social work from a graduate school of social work accredited
by the Council on Social Work Education; and
2.1.3 Has had a minimum of two years
or three thousand hours of post-master’s degree supervised clinical social
work practice under the supervision of a master’s level social worker
in an appropriate clinical setting, as determined by the contractor.
Note: Patients who have organic medical
problems must receive appropriate concurrent management by a physician.