2.1
TCMHC
For the purposes of the TRICARE Program,
a TCMHC is an independent provider who does not require referral
and oversight by a physician in order to receive reimbursement for
service to a beneficiary. A TCMHC is licensed
for independent practice in mental health counseling by the jurisdiction
where practicing. In jurisdictions with two or more licenses allowing
for differing scopes of independent practice, the licensed mental
health counselor shall only practice
within the scope of licensure the mental health counselor possesses.
In addition, a TCMHC is an individual who:
2.1.1 Meets
all of the following requirements:
2.1.1.1 Has
passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination
(NCMHCE) or an examination determined by the Director, Defense Health
Agency (DHA) as equal in scope, intent, and content to the NCMHCE;
and
2.1.1.2 Possesses a master’s or higher-level
degree from a mental health counseling program of education and
training accredited for Mental Health Counseling or Clinical Mental
Health Counseling by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling
and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); OR otherwise meets the
requirements contained in
paragraph 2.1.3; and
2.1.1.3 Has
a minimum of two years of post-master’s degree supervised mental
health counseling practice that includes a minimum of 3,000 hours
of supervised clinical practice and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision.
This supervision is provided by mental
health counselors, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, Certified
Clinical Social Workers (CCSWs), TCMHCs,
or Certified Psychiatric Nurse Specialists (CPNSs) who are licensed
for independent practice in the jurisdiction where practicing and are practicing
within the scope of their licenses. Supervision is conducted
in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines regarding knowledge,
skills, and practice standards for supervision of the American Mental
Health Counselors Association (AMHCA): OR
2.1.2 Has met the requirements identified
in
paragraphs 2.1.2.1 or 2.1.2.2,
plus 2.1.2.3 at
any point prior to January 1, 2017:
2.1.2.1 Possesses
a master’s or higher-level degree from a mental health counseling
program of education and training accredited for Mental Health Counseling
or Clinical Mental Health Counseling by CACREP (OR otherwise meets
the requirements contained in
paragraph 2.1.3) and has passed the National
Counselor Examination (NCE) or NCMHCE;
or
2.1.2.2 Possesses
a master’s or higher-level degree from a mental health counseling
program of education and training accredited for Mental Health Counseling
or Clinical Mental Health Counseling from an educational institution
accredited by a Regional Accrediting Organization recognized by
the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and has passed the
NCMHCE; and
2.1.2.3 Has
a minimum of two years of post-master’s degree supervised mental
health counseling practice that includes a minimum of 3,000 hours
of supervised clinical practice and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision.
This supervision is provided by mental
health counselors, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, certified
CCSWs, TCMHCs, or CPNSs who are licensed for independent practice
in the jurisdiction where practicing and that is consistent with
the guidelines regarding knowledge, skills, and practice standards
for supervision of the AMHCA.
2.1.3 Pursuant
to Section 716 of the NDAA for FY 2016, prior to January 1, 2021,
an individual satisfies the requirement to “hold a master’s or higher-level
degree from a mental health counseling program of education and
training accredited for Mental Health Counseling or Clinical Mental
Health Counseling by CACREP” if the individual holds a master’s
degree or doctoral degree in counseling from a program that is accredited
by any of the following:
• Accrediting Commission for
Community and Junior Colleges Western, Association of Schools and Colleges
(ACCJC-WASC)
• Higher Learning Commission
(HLC)
• Middle States Commission on
Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Association of
Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
• Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges
• WASC Senior College and University
Commission (WASC-SCUC)
• Accrediting Bureau of Health
Education Schools (ABHES)
• Accrediting Commission of Career
Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• Accrediting Council for Independent
Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
• Distance Education Accreditation
Commission (DEAC)
2.2 Supervised Mental Health Counselor
(SMHC)
For purposes
of
the TRICARE
Program,
an SMHC is an individual who does not meet the requirements of a
certified mental health counselor but meets the requirements identified
in
paragraphs 2.2.1 through
2.2.3 and
abides by the conditions of reimbursement identified in
paragraph 2.2.4.
The SMHC:
2.2.1 Possesses
a minimum of a master’s degree in mental health counseling or allied
mental health field from a regionally accredited institution; and
2.2.2 Has two years of post-masters
experience which includes 3,000 hours of clinical work and 100 hours
of face-to-face supervision; and
2.2.3 Is
licensed or certified to practice as a mental health counselor by
the jurisdiction where practicing; and
2.2.4 The
SMHC
is reimbursed when the following
criteria are met:
2.2.4.1 The TRICARE beneficiary is
referred for therapy by a physician; and
2.2.4.2 A physician is providing ongoing
oversight and supervision of the therapy being provided; and
2.2.4.3 The SMHC certifies on each
claim for reimbursement that written communication has been, or
will be made to the referring physician of the results of the treatment.
Such communication is made at the end
of the treatment, or more frequently, as required by the referring
physician.
2.2.4.4 A Licensed Psychological Associate
(LPA) may continue to practice as an SMHC upon meeting all requirements
under
32 CFR 199.6(c)(3)(iv)(C). The eligibility
requirements for SMHCs did not change with the publication of the
Final Rule: “TRICARE; Certified Mental Health Counselors” (76 FR 80741),
effective August 18, 2014. These requirements include licensure
or certification in the provision of mental health counseling (e.g.,
LPA; Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)) by the jurisdiction
where practicing, in addition to the other requirements outlined
in the CFR regarding education and supervision. Providers who meet
the SMHC requirements provide services to beneficiaries under physician
referral and supervision.
2.2.4.5 The contractor shall provide
reports as described in the Contract Data Requirement List (CDRL). Details
for reporting are identified in DD Form 1423, CDRL, located in Section
J of the applicable contract.