INSIDE AMHCA
Medicare Provider Status — At Last !
With President Biden ’ s signature on Dec . 29 , 2022 , Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors ( LCMHCs ) crossed a decades-sought finish line and became Medicare providers “ This is groundbreaking news ,” said Interim CEO / ED Dr . Beverly Smith , “ for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling profession , the patients we serve in this country , and Medicare beneficiaries .”
The law takes effect in January 2024 . Dr . Smith thanked AMHCA members who contacted their legislators to support the Mental Health Access Improvement Act as well as the organizations that supported and collaborated with AMHCA on the push for this legislation , the legislators “ who heard our voice and that of their constituents .”
For more on LCMHC Medicare status and working with Medicare patients and clients , visit amhca . org / advocacy / medicare .
AMHCA 2023 Election Results
AMHCA members elected three new board members to replace the three whose three-year terms expire at the end of June .
See the goals and summaries of each of the incoming new board members at www . amhca . org / about / governance / elections their professional backgrounds :
• President-Elect Yoon Suh Moh , PhD , LPC , CRC , NCC , BC-TMH , BCN ,
• Midwest Region Director Napoleon Harrington , LPC , DBH ( c ), and
• Western Region Director Shannon Thompson , LMHC , CMHS , NCC .
Advance Your Profession — Serve on an AMHCA Committee !
You can be part of AMHCA ’ s vital work on ethics and issues related to professional practice , certifications , and emerging professionals . Or help promote public awareness , and contribute to legislative advances .
LEARN MORE AT : www . amhca . org / about / governance / committees
AMHCA Interim CEO / ED Wins Award From Alabama Counseling Association
The Alabama Counseling Association ( ALCA ), a division of the American Counseling Association , bestowed its Fannie R . Cooley Award for Distinguished Professional Development on AMHCA Interim CEO / ED Dr . Beverly Smith ( above left , holding the award ) at ALCA ’ s 2022 annual conference .
The honor was especially meaningful because Dr . Cooley had been Dr . Smith ’ s professor and mentor years ago . Above center , Dr . Smith stands with ALCA colleagues . Above right , Dr . Chris DaSambiago-Moore , president of the Alabama Mental Health Counselors Association confers with Dr . Smith .
6 The Advocate Magazine 2023 , Issue # 1 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org