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Legislative News & Alerts
Independent Practice
This page of the Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) area includes resources and information important to the professional practice of art therapists, including but not limited to: reimbursement, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and allied health professionals.
Licensure & Reimbursement
Licensure is often believed to be an automatic steeping stone to reimbursement of one’s services as a mental health professional. However, licensure alone does not guarantee direct reimbursement. The insurance industry must be mandated by state law to reimburse licensed mental health professionals- only then is reimbursement guaranteed. This is often referred to as vendorship clause within a state law or regulations.
“Vendorship” is included in licensure legislation to seek mandated reimbursement and is obtained after a licensure law has been established for a period of time. The MA licensure law is one of the only ones in the country with vendorship specifically inclusive of expressive therapies. Of course, any state that has vendorship for counseling and allows equivalent degrees in art therapy to qualify for licensure would also include vendorship for those who become licensed.
What Can AATA’s Chapters Do to Promote Reimbursement of Art Therapy Services?
When there is not mandated reimbursement for services, AATA Chapters should first contact the Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) for direction and any previous licensure and/or reimbursement history in their region or state. Notifying and working with the GAC is the an important first step and the GAC can provide advice on what groundwork needs to be accomplished, how to lobby decision-makers and insurance companies, and steps to take in terms of title protection for art therapists if it is not already in place in your state. Chapters may also find the following documents, Art Therapy and Counseling , State Counseling Licensure Boards, and the AATA Reimbursement Survey, useful in their pursuits of licensure and reimbursement.
Art therapists interested in being reimbursed in their state for work with older adults must check state laws and contact providers in their state about reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid is administrated at a state level and laws for reimbursement through Medicaid vary from state to state. Art Therapy is included as a reimbursable service within Partial Hospitalization for Geriatrics. Recently, this was expanded to include Outpatient Services as well.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, Public Law 104-191, included “Administrative Simplification” provisions that required Health and Human Services (HHS) to adopt national standards for electronic health care transactions. At the same time, Congress recognized that advances in electronic technology could erode the privacy of health information. Consequently, Congress incorporated into HIPAA provisions that mandated the adoption of Federal privacy protections for individually identifiable health information. Most employers provide HIPAA training to their employees; if you are an independent practitioner, learn more about HIPAA through the following sites:
HIPAA OnLine – This interactive tool, provided by the Federal Government, helps answer your questions about health coverage and your rights and protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If you have clients who have questions about getting and continuing health coverage during events such as losing or changing jobs, pregnancy, moving, or divorce, you can get answers here.
HIPAA.org – Website featuring a Provider HIPAA Readiness Checklist and other resources and information related to the laws and regulations of HIPAA.
Allied Health Professionals & the Health Professions Network (HPN) Art therapy is defined by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an Allied Health Profession. Art therapists who work in hospitals or medical settings should be aware of the Health Professions Network (HPN), a group of volunteers representing health professional associations interested in interdisciplinary communication, discussion, and collaboration Participants meet at least annually to engage in discussion of issues relating to health care and to serve as a conduit for interdisciplinary problem solving and preparation for future health care delivery. AATA is represented at all HPN meetings and participates in committees and advocacy activities with the Network. The structure of HPN includes an unlimited number of participating health professional organizations and individuals interested in an interdisciplinary perspective of health care delivery. Leadership is provided by a volunteer member Coordinating Team responsible for securing the site arrangements for the next meeting and coordinating the efforts of the Discussion Teams’ activities for that meeting. Topics of discussion are decided by consensus of participants and developed by interested volunteers for interaction by HPN participants. For more information about HPN, contact the GAC or visit the HPN web site at http://www.healthpronet.org/about/index.html and see http://www.healthpronet.org/ahp_month/10_03.html on art therapy as an allied health profession.
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) – JCAHO’s mission is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Since 1951, the Joint Commission has maintained state-of-the-art standards that focus on improving the quality and safety of care provided by health care organizations. The Joint Commission’s comprehensive accreditation process evaluates an organization’s compliance with these standards and other accreditation requirements.
The Joint Commission’s evaluation and accreditation services are provided for the following types of organizations:
General, psychiatric, children’s and rehabilitation hospitals.
Critical access hospitals.
Health care networks, including managed care plans, preferred provider organizations, integrated delivery networks, and managed behavioral health care organizations.
Home care organizations, including those that provide home health services, personal care and support services, home infusion and other pharmacy services, durable medical equipment services and hospice services.
Nursing homes and other long term care facilities, including subacute care programs, dementia special care programs and long term care pharmacies.
Assisted living facilities that provide or coordinate personal services, 24-hour supervision and assistance (scheduled and unscheduled), activities and health-related services.
Behavioral health care organizations, including those that provide mental health and addiction services, and services to persons with developmental disabilities of various ages, in various organized service settings.
Ambulatory care providers, for example, outpatient surgery facilities, rehabilitation centers, infusion centers, group practices as well as office-based surgery.
Clinical laboratories, including independent or freestanding laboratories, blood transfusion and donor centers, and public health laboratories. From http://www.jcaho.org/about+us/jcaho_facts.htm
The Joint Commission is governed by a 29-member Board of Commissioners that includes nurses, physicians, consumers, medical directors, administrators, providers, employers, a labor representative, health plan leaders, quality experts, ethicists, a health insurance administrator and educators. AATA is represented at JCAHO meetings to monitor changes in the commission and accreditation standards.
Creative & Expressive Arts Therapist I &
Creative & Expressive Arts Therapist II (Part-time)
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA
Creative and Expressive Arts Therapies (CEAT) positions open immediately at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic (WPIC), part of the larger University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).An experienced clinician with 3 or more years of inpatient psychiatric experience preferred. Competitive salary.
Position entails providing individual supervision to shared interns from nearby Childrens’ Hospital, as well as direct clinical group services with psychiatric patients. WPIC is an acute, brief-stay hospital with 13 units and 280 beds, and spans the full age and diagnostic continuum.
If you are a collaborative team-player who is passionate about the arts, and embraces the challenge of providing first-rate training, supervision, and direct clinical services, please contact the Director, Nancy Rued (412) 246-5498 for more information. Website: www.upmc.com
Expires: 7/1/08
Art Therapist
Henry Street Settlement, Manhattan, NY
Under the supervision of the Director of After-School Services, the Art Therapist is to deliver sequential, theme based therapeutic activities for participants and their families. Also responsible for developing, refining life skills curriculum, conduct pre and post surveys, support after-school program expectations, policies and protocols, as well as work within the team setting of our network of after-school sites. $20-$50 an hour. Contact: Katha Cato kcato@henrystreet.org. Website: www.henrystreet.org- Go to after-school services section.
Expires: Until Filled
Assistant Professor
George Washington University, Washington, DC
The GW Art Therapy Graduate Program invites applications for a full-time assistant professor. Duties include teaching, advising, ongoing scholarly/creative work, service to professional organizations, programmatic work, and supervision of student projects. ATR-BC required. Minimum five years clinical experience, two years teaching experience and evidence of continuing scholarly work, specifically research-based.
Questions regarding application procedures or the search process may be directed to hbardot@gwu.edu or 202-994-6285. For more information about the Art Therapy Program consult, www.gwu.edu/~artx or for specific job descriptions and application procedures www.gwu.edu/employment.cfm. EOE.
Expires: 7/1/08
Summer Camp Art Therapist
Miriam Learning Center, Webster Groves, MO
Provide art therapy to children with multiple learning challenges during our summer four week, half-day therapy camp. Work with OT, SP/L and music therapists to coordinate a comprehensive treatment camp. The camp runs June 16-July 11, 2008, M-TH, with working hours from 8:15 am to 12:15 p.m. Contact Beth Rose, MSW, LCSW, Director 314-961-1500, Fax resume to 314-968-7338 or email resume and/or questions to brose@miriamlearningcenter.org
Expires: 5/30/08
Art Therapist
Children’s Aid Society, York, PA
Excellent opportunity for a creative, energetic individual. Full-time, exempt position. Conducts outpatient individual and group art therapy. Some local travel to multiple work sites. Registered art therapist (Masters in Art Therapy) with at least two years experience with children and families. For more information go to: www.cassouthernpa.org. Send resumes by email to: lbecker@cassd.org. EOE.
Expires: Until Filled
Art Therapist
Coalinga State Hospital, Coalinga, CA
Many full-time Art Therapist positions are available at Coalinga State Hospital in central California. Art Therapists work in the Rehab Therapy Department with Music and Recreation Therapists. Job duties include facilitating groups, participating in Treatment planning, completing Rehab assessments, planning events and activities for patients, and monthly paperwork. Coalinga State Hospital is a new facility treating sex offenders. There is the opportunity to design sex offender specific Art Therapy groups. The Art Center at the hospital includes a Ceramics program, Leatherworking and other Studio groups, as well as Art Therapy groups to address Anger Management, Self-Esteem and other issues.
The starting salary is $64,000/year. Good benefits and low cost of living! We recently hired graduates of Ursuline, Seton Hill, School of the Art Institute, Antioch and Mount Mary. Openings will be available for years due to activation. For more information go to: http://www.dmh.ca.gov and click on “State Hospitals,” “Coalinga State Hospital,” “Human Resources,” “How to get a State job,” and the link for the application form “STD 678.” Mail your application to Personnel, Coalinga State Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, Coalinga, CA 93210. You may also contact Amy Pfenning, MPS, ATR, at APfenning@csh.dmh.ca.gov or 559-934-8016, or Evelyn Catano, Chief of Rehab Therapy at 559-934-3780 for more information.
Expires: On-going
Art Therapist- 2 positions
Adam’s Camp, Nantucket, MA
Adam’s Camp has temporary positions available for experienced Pediatric Art Therapists for our Nantucket, MA program. We offer a unique and highly valuable clinical experience for professionals who are dedicated to and have experience with trans-disciplinary work. Adam’s Camp is a Colorado and Nantucket-based agency committed to intensive, integrated therapeutic programs for children with developmental disabilities. We also provide support and respite for parents and siblings, so they can take an active and educated role in their child’s therapy. Our programs serve families on Nantucket throughout the New England area as well as Colorado.
The Adam’s Camp model provides powerful progress and direction, through an interdisciplinary approach to providing therapy to children with developmental disabilities and their families. During an Adam’s Camp session, children receive intensive speech, physical, occupational, art and music therapy, centered on specific goals set by the family. Five therapists work individually with each child for 6 hours a day, and then collaborate at the end of each day – and finally at the end of the week – to develop an overall therapy plan that best facilitates the child’s development of his or her full potential. This plan, presented in the form of a picture report, is designed to share with the child’s ongoing therapy team, teachers, caregivers and medical team.
Specifics of our Intensive Therapy program include:
- We work with 4 – 8 year olds who can benefit from intensive – multiple discipline therapies and kids 8 and older who can benefit from activity based small group therapy
- The top three diagnosis are Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down syndrome, CP
- We treat children who are severe to high functioning
- We are asset based, who child and whole family focused
- Therapists live at Camp in comfortable cabin lodging with their team
- Families attend Camp. The identified child is in Therapy / Trailblazer from 8:30 – 2:30 for 5 consecutive days. Parents and sibs enjoy respite and mountain activities while the identified child is in Therapy / Trailblazer
- There are 5 kids on each team with 5 therapists / Therapy Camp
- Each team has two volunteers who provide maximum support
- Therapy teams conference nightly to develop and refine individualized therapy plans
The positions are offered on a contract basis per week. The therapist must be available from Saturday morning through Saturday morning of the given week. 2008 Camp Dates: June 22-June 28. Contact: Max Goode – Program Director, Adam’s Camp Nantucket Phone 508-228-1981 or maxeygoode@aol.com
Expires: Until filled
Ceramics Instructor
Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Mamaroneck, NY
We are looking for a ceramics instructor to work with our residents facility-wide. The job will also include firing a kiln at least on a monthly basis. This would be a consulting position-1-2 times a week. Experience working with the elderly is required. Immediate availability will be a plus.
Please send your resume and two professional refereces to Mila Barg Levine, Events Planning Coordinator, Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation 845 Palmer Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. Phone: 914-864-5194 / Fax: 914-864-5818/ E-mail: mlevine@jhha.org
Expires: 5/1/08
Asst/Assoc Professor Art Therapy/Expressive Arts Therapy
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
Duties and Responsibilities: The Professional Studies Division of Lesley College is seeking a half-time, 9 month faculty member in art therapy/expressive arts therapy. Responsibilities include teaching four classes per year in art therapy/expressive arts therapy and related disciplines such as human services/counseling/holistic psychology, advising undergraduate students, participating in curriculum development, serving on appropriate college and university committees and task forces, and participating in recruitment and retention activities.
Requirements: Terminal degree with appropriate art therapy/expressive arts therapy graduate training. Evidence of successful teaching and clinical experience are desired. Experience with teaching undergraduate students a plus.
To apply visit: http://lesley.interviewexchange.com
Expires: 9/1/08
