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Advocacy Issues
Increasing access to OT services in behavioral health
Since its beginnings, occupational therapy has promoted mental health through engagement in meaningful occupations. As service delivery and payment models have evolved, the profession has seen fewer opportunities to provide services to those with behavioral health challenges. AOTA is working to increase access to occupational therapy services for people with serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and other behavioral health needs.
Why access to behavioral health matters
As federal, state, and local governments develop innovative ways to meet society's behavioral health needs, there are increasing opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners to be a part of these programs. Occupational therapy practitioners have a transformative role to play in helping people with behavioral health challenges engage in meaningful occupations.
However, there is much work to be done to ensure the inclusion of occupational therapy services at all of these levels:
- AOTA Federal and Regulatory Affairs works to ensure recognition of occupational therapy in Federal behavioral health programs and opportunities.
- AOTA State Affairs works with OT state associations to advance opportunities for, and recognition of, OT at the state level, where most behavioral health programs are implemented.
- You are a crucial advocate for inclusion of OT services in these programs.
Working together we have opened opportunities for occupational therapy in behavioral health, but there is still much more work to be done!
Contact your policymakers
Help build support for the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act (S. 1592)
The Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Parity Act (S. 1592) seeks to remove barriers to the provision of occupational therapy services for someone with a mental health diagnosis under Medicare and Medicaid where these services are already an allowed benefit. This bill, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) would expand access to OT services for mental and behavioral health disorders without changing current Medicare and Medicaid benefits or scope of services.
Help those with mental or behavioral health challenges access occupational therapy services. Contact your Members of Congress and ask them to support the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act.
Latest news
SIS Quarterly article
Mental health occupational therapy advocacy in action
Final CMS regulations name occupational therapy as a core benefit in Intensive Outpatient Program for mental health services
Web Article
Senate committee passes legislation that includes the OT Mental Health Parity Act and reduction in Medicare fee schedule cuts
Related resources
As states develop innovative ways to meet society's behavioral health needs, there are increasing opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners to be a part of these programs.
Whether you are advocating for your State to recognize occupational therapy practitioners as Qualified Mental Health Providers, trying to get occupational therapy services in mental health settings reimbursed under Medicaid, or trying to convince a local program that they need to add occupational therapy, this webpage is for you. Below you will find resources to help promote the distinct value of occupational therapy services in community mental and behavioral health.
Occupational Therapy recognized in federal behavioral health programs
Actions by Congress and federal agencies have recognized the importance of occupational therapy as part of recovery oriented, quality community mental health services.
Occupational Therapy in mental and behavioral health
This PowerPoint presentation can be used to help build your case for the role of occupational therapy in behavioral health programs.
Occupational Therapy outcome measures for community mental health
Behavioral health programs need to demonstrate that they are achieving positive outcomes for program participants. Show how you can contribute to these measures.
Occupational Therapy's distinct value: mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention across the lifespan
Position paper highlighting how occupational therapy’s distinct value is to improve health and quality of life through facilitating participation and engagement in occupations, the meaningful, necessary, and familiar activities of everyday life.
Official document: Mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention in OT practice
AOTA Official Document outlining the role of occupational therapy practitioners in the promotion of mental health and in the prevention of and intervention for mental health disorders.
AOTA: Expanding opportunity for OT in mental health and the federal level
Poster presentation highlighting key victories and goals in promoting occupational therapy's role in mental health at the federal level.
OT in Mental and Behavioral Health: State Laws, Regulations, and Guidance
State-by-state compilation of laws, regulations, and guidance and policy documents to highlight occupational therapy practitioners' role in providing behavioral and mental health services.