17 October 2011

BCBS of KC Announces Reduction in Fee Schedule


Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City recently announced that effective November 1, 2011, they will be reducing the fee schedule for doctorate and masters level clinicians in several of their PPO networks.
These include:

  • Preferred Care (PC)
  • Preferred Care Blue (PCB)
  • Blue Access
  • Freedom Network
  • Freedom Network Select

The change impacts in-network behavioral health providers in independent practice including psychologists. The rationale provided for the decrease was to be more consistent with other rates in the market. The decrease varies and is approximately 20-30% depending upon the CPT code.  In an attempt to better serve our members, we are trying to determine who in our membership will be impacted by this drastic reduction.  We are working with APA on this matter to determine how to best address this matter. The bigger concern as always is that when one insurance company lowers their rates, other companies will follow suit in the near future. If you are being impacted by this change please contact our Executive Director Ellen at esmclean@gmail.com.

Recent actions taken by the New Jersey Psychological Association


NJPA Press Release: New Jersey Psychologists Fight to End Unlawful Practices of Major Health Insurance Plans

Please click HERE to read a very important press release about New Jersey Psychological Association's legal actions against insurance companies.

Additional information can be found at: www.speakyourmindnj.org

Survey Request and chance to win $50 Gift Card


You are being asked to participate in a dissertation research study regarding various theoretical frameworks and therapeutic techniques utilized by Licensed Mental Health Professionals. Should you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete two measures and two demographic/background information sheets, which will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Participation is anonymous and when finished, you will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for one of four $50 Amazon.com gift cards. Please click on the following link to participate:

16 October 2011

Monthly ad from APA insurance Trust

To be taken directly to APAIT's website, click here
.

14 October 2011

Help Complete Important Survey on Mental Health Parity

I'm passing along a message from Div. 42 regarding an important survey for practitioners regarding how mental health parity  is being implemented. Please consider taking a moment to complete the survey. 

Dear Colleagues;
APA's Division 42 (Psychologists in Independent Practice) Advocacy Committee is conducting a survey on psychologists' early experiences with the implementation of mental health parity around the country. We would greatly appreciate your informing your constituents and members about the availability of this survey. The survey requires only 5-15 minutes to complete online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Div42MHParity.  

The deadline for taking the survey is December 4th.

The data will be tallied and reported to the Division 42 Board of Directors after which time it will be reported on the Division's website at Division42.org and distributed to other interested parties and entities.

Thank you in advance for being willing to take the time to complete this important survey. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Div42MHParity. Your participation will provide valuable information to assist with our future advocacy activities.

Regards,

Sallie Hildebrandt, Ph.D.
Chair, Division 42 Advocacy Committee

11 October 2011

Welcome New Member!

MOPA is proud to welcome new member Dr. Sandra Hendrin.  She is part of Collaborative Family Law Group of St. Louis, which offers mental health and financial coaching for divorcing couples, in addition to legal counsel, when they are seeking a better alternative to traditional divorce.

She returned this year to her Counseling Psychology practice in St. Louis after a hiatus of 10 years, during which she was in seminary in Philadelphia and was ordained as a rabbi in June 2010.  In addition to her rabbinic work with the Reconstructionist congregation in St. Louis, she also meets with individuals who have spiritual concerns on a monthly basis for Spiritual Direction, and is a member of Spiritual Directors International.  

07 October 2011


Click here to view Div. 31's letter to APAPO regarding the proposed cuts to the CAPP grants which help fund State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Associations like MOPA. For all the MOPA members who are also APA members, this letter also unserscores why it is essential to pay the APAPO Practice Assessment every year because this money ultimately "trickles down" to your state organization and allows us to advocate on your behalf within the Missouri House and Senate on issues that affect your daily practice.


01 October 2011

Call for Nominations to serve on Clinical Treatment Guideline Panel for APA

As you may be aware, APA is undertaking a process to develop clinical treatment guidelines.  Click here to be taken to the official Call For Nominations for individuals to serve on the panel that will develop a guideline for the treatment of depression.  Those interested in being considered to serve on this panel are asked to submit a brief statement indicating their willingness to serve and a CV.  Materials are due by November 15, 2011, and should be submitted to ctg@apa.org with “depression panel” in the subject line.

For additional background on this APA initiative, click the links below:

Call for Nominations for Diversity Delegate to SLC

 APA is announcing a call for nominations for Diversity Delegates to attend the 2012 State Leadership Conference (SLC) from March 10th – March 13th in Washington, DC. The deadline for the application is Tuesday, November 1, 2011.  Please send applications for 2012 SLC Diversity Delegates to Leatrice Burphy at lburphy@apa.org. For full details click here.

27 September 2011

Call for Nominations for APA ECP Representative

The Committee on Early Career Psychologists (CECP) is seeking nominations for a representative to serve a three-year term (2012-2014):
CECP Governance and Membership Representative:

  • Serve as CECP liaison to the Membership Board and help advise the board on successful recruitment, retention, and engagement efforts aimed at early career professionals
  • Serve as the point of contact for the membership representatives on all boards and committees within the APA governance structure.
  • Work closely with the CECP staff liaison to develop activities focused on early career membership and strategies for increasing recruitment, retention, and involvement of early career members, and  provide feedback on early career initiatives and activities
  • Work with CECP staff liaison to provide suggestions for social media initiatives and other electronic initiatives focused on the needs of early career members
  • Promote and support activities, projects, and programs that foster early career membership and engagement in APA
  • Responsible for submitting information for the monthly news box in the Monitor re CECP activities and highlighting best practices in early career member involvement
  • Responsible for monitoring early career outreach communications via listservs, social media, and other electronic outlets and actively stimulating topics of discussions and conversations. 
  • Write a report of activities for the consolidated meeting for distribution to the committee and inclusion in CECP’s annual report
  • Membership and or governance experience at the division or SPTA level is a plus.
Candidates must be an APA member within seven years’ receipt of their doctorate degree on January 1, 2012. In addition, you must be able to attend mandatory committee meetings; one in the spring, and two in the fall.  Some committee members may be asked to attend additional meetings depending on their position.  Meeting expenses are reimbursed by APA.  Although not reimbursed, committee members are highly encouraged to attend APA’s annual convention and participate in developing early career programming for the convention.  The committee works extensively through listserv and email. Applicants should expect to spend a minimum of 5 hours per week engaged in committee activities.

All candidates should include:
1. Statement of Interest from the nominee 
2. Current Curriculum Vitae
3. One Letter of Recommendation

Nomination materials must be received by October 31, 2011.  Applicants will be notified in December 2011.

Send nominations via email, mail, or fax to:        
         Kraig Ronald Scott
         American Psychological Association
         750 First Street, NE
         Washington, DC 20002
         Fax: (202) 216-7628
         Email: kscott@apa.org
CECP seeks to represent the interests and concerns of early career psychologists throughout APA.  For more information about the committee and other early career resources, please visit the APA early career website at www.apa.org/earlycareer. If you have any questions, please contact the current Chair, Oksana Yakushko, PhD at oyakushko@gmail.com.

21 September 2011

Collaboration with St. Louis Psych Association

I talked with Dr. Susan Reis today, the President of the St. Louis Psychological Association, in order to develop new ways that MOPA can collaborate with StLPA and serve our mutual needs and concerns.  I am excited to tap into this wonderful group of dedicated psychologists (over 130 strong) who have a vested interest in the legislative affairs that affect psychologists across the state and not just in St. Louis.  Liz Grodsky is currently MOPA's liaison to StLPA and will continue to work with both organizations to bring about positive outcomes for our fellow psychologists. 

20 September 2011

Save the Date

The 2012 MOPA Annual Convention is scheduled for March 23-24 at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission.  Mark your calendars. We'll see you there! 

19 September 2011

Brain Injury Association of Missouri Conference

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri 7th Annual Statewide Conference is fast approaching – October 20 – 22, 2011.  In one short month you have the opportunity for exceptional education regarding brain injury.  Learn more about the BIA-MO 7th Annual Statewide Conference or Register online now. 


MOPA is co-sponsoring this event. 

New Ad from APA Insurance Trust

Here is the latest ad from the APA Insurance Trust. To be taken to the website simply click here.


16 September 2011

IMPORTANT Message re: MO Health Net Oversight Committee

Dr. Ian McCaslin, director of Missouri Health Net, has informed MOPA that the Governor will be adding a non-physician health care professional to the Missouri Health Net Oversight Committee. This committee guides Medicaid healthcare practices in Missouri. 

I strongly urge everyone who is a Medicaid provider to consider applying in order to make the voice of Psychology heard at the state level. . 

Websites detailing the MO Health Net Oversight Committee:

TO APPLY, COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION FOR GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT:

The solicitation letter sent to me by Dr. McCaslin can be found by clicking here.

Please indicate whether you have taken action on this item by clicking the box below ("I took action on this item").