Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 5, February 29, 2024
(1)
Qualified Providers - The Commission may provide reimbursement/payment of
therapy expenses if the therapy was provided by a psychiatrist, psychologist,
professional counselor, or clinical social worker that is licensed by the
appropriate governmental licensing body. The clinician must have an active
license at the time the therapy was provided in order to qualify for
reimbursement/payment of therapy expenses.
(2) Appropriate Treatment
(a) ACVCC must receive a letter from the
clinician certifying that the victim is engaged in necessary therapy due to
his/her victimization.
(b)
Quarterly updates from the clinician certifying that the treatment is necessary
and the result of victimization must be submitted in order for payment to be
considered.
(c) The clinician must
provide an itemized bill for treatment sessions.
(3) Eligibility for Payment. The claimant,
victim, and/or the victim's immediate family members may be eligible for mental
health benefits.
(4) Cost
Containment
(a) Individual Therapy Rates:
$80.00 per hour- Licensed Counselor/Social Worker;
$100.00 per hour- Psychologists (Ph.D.);
$125 per hour- Psychiatrists (M.D.).
(b) Group Therapy Rates: $ 60.00 per
hour.
(c) Reimbursement for therapy
expenses shall not exceed $6,250, or 50 sessions. Reasonable efforts should be
made to inform victims/claimants that therapy services are provided by
community mental health centers on a sliding fee scale. Inpatient treatment
shall be considered a medical condition for purposes of compensation. When the
victim is a minor, the claimant shall be limited to 15 individual therapy
sessions, unless the victim is deceased. The 15 individual therapy sessions
limit shall not apply to homicide claims.
(d) Supplemental therapy bills may be
submitted to ACVCC as accrued, for consideration of payment.
(e) When therapy services have been provided
by county mental health centers, ACVCC will only pay what has been charged on a
sliding fee scale.
(5)
Criteria for Payment of Therapy Expenses. Eligibility for payment of therapy
expenses is based upon receipt of the following documentation:
(a) a written statement from the therapist
indicating that the therapy is directly related to the victimization;
(b) an itemized bill from the therapist
indicating the dates, times and charges for therapy; and
(c) evidence that the therapist is licensed
by the appropriate governmental licensing body.
(6) Therapy via Videoconference. The
Commission may reimburse for therapy services rendered via videoconference when
the therapy is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
(7) Interpreters for Victims/Claimants with
Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
(a) The
Commission may provide reimbursement for reasonable fees incurred for the use
of interpreters by LEP victims/claimants who seek therapy services as a direct
result of the crime. The Commission will determine if the charges are
reasonable on a case by case basis. The availability of interpreters in the LEP
victim's/claimant's primary or home language will be considered in determining
if the charges are reasonable.
(b)
In order to qualify for reimbursement, the interpreter must be:
1. currently certified by any state, regional
or national interpreting association, board or body as proficient in the LEP
individual's primary or home language, or
2. found to be qualified to interpret in the
LEP individual's primary or home language by a municipal, county, state, or
federal court.
(3) Unrelated by blood or marriage to the
claimant and/or victim.
Author: Dr. Cassie T. Jones
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, §§
15-23-5(14).
