Senators Scott, Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Treatment for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) reintroduced the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act, which would expand access to occupational therapy for patients being treated for mental health and substance use disorders.

"With substance use and mental health challenges affecting millions of Americans, expanding access to care is critical," said Senator Scott. "This bipartisan bill helps remove barriers for Medicare beneficiaries while empowering occupational therapists to provide the care patients need to recover and thrive."

"This bipartisan bill would help more patients with substance use and mental health disorders access treatment through occupational therapy, which can play a key role in recovery," said Senator Hassan. "This legislation is a commonsense way to help make available every tool for patients to stay in recovery."

By helping patients introduce exercise or other lifestyle adjustments into their routine, occupational therapists can help play a pivotal role in an individual's treatment or recovery. Due to ambiguous guidance, Medicare claim processers and state Medicaid programs currently often deny claims for occupational therapy for mental health or substance use disorders. This bill would clarify that under Medicare and Medicaid, occupational therapists can expand their care of psychiatric disorders to include mental health and substance misuse disorders.

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