Legislative Updates

Issues MOTA is currently monitoring or working towards:

• Increasing access to OT services across the mental health continuum of care in Minnesota
• • Update as of April 2025: The bills (SF 1811 and HF 1044) we introduced to the MN House and Senate unfortunately did not receive a committee hearing this year. The good news is that we will not have to re-introduce the bill next year as this session is the first of the biennium. We will advocate for this legislation again in the 2026 legislative session. 
• Caps to OT services under MN Medicaid
• Prior authorization requirements and the process
• Compact licensure requirements and process for obtaining licensure
• Changes in school-based occupational therapy billing practices

Reimbursement Updates

Effective January 1st 2026 - Changes to Prior Authorization for MA Recipients

Payment is limited to twenty-four (24) occupational therapy visits per year unless prior authorization for a greater number of visits is obtained. Those receiving MA or MNCare on a Fee-for-Service option are subject to these prior authorization requirements. Providers with specific Atrezzo/Acentra questions can email MNProviderIssues@acentra.com.

Managed care organizations providing PMAP (Prepaid Medical Assistance Program), will implement and adhere to these requirements as well (see link). Requirements are explicitly stated in the contracts of managed care organizations.

Review presentation from Karen Sames on Changes in Reimbursement and Licensure Updates presented on 09/16/2025 to see updated information on prior authorization. Access the full video presentation here. 

Additional questions on reimbursement? Email MOTA's Reimbursement Chair, Andrea Janike, MA, OTR/L, BCP at janikeandrea@gmail.com

MN License Board Updates

Changes to MN Licensure Includes - Scope of Practice, Licensure and Renewal Requirements, Continuing Education Requirements, and Fees, Compact Licensure, Disciplinary Action, and Board Members Changes.

Review presentation from Karen Sames on Changes in Reimbursement and Licensure Updates presented on 09/16/2025. Access the full video presentation here. 

Mental Health Services - Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS)

Updated November 3rd 2025 - MCHP Provider Manual Updated ARMHS 

Because of advocacy efforts from MOTA's mental health task force, the following information changed on the MHCP Provider website:

MHCP Provider Manual – Mental Health Services – Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) – Under the Eligible Providers heading, licensed occupational therapists were added as eligible providers. While this is a step in the right direction, we continue our advocacy efforts to be reimbursed at an occupational therapist rate.  

Minnesota School-Based IEP and IFSP Health-Related Services

In October of 2025, OTPs providing school-based IEP and IFSP Health Related Services transitioned away from the use of a single T1018 code (with modifiers) to discipline-specific CPT and HCPCS codes. This change was implemented with the intention to: better align school providers with community providers; promote consistency across MA and other payers; as well as more accurately capture service delivery. Note that the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) does not advise on billing regarding evaluation or treatment codes. Service delivery of OT through IEPs and IFSPs are not impacted by prior authorization requirements for MA recipients and should not directly impact reimbursement of services for clients who receive same-day OT services in outpatient settings.

See frequently asked questions in the link: https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/policies-procedures/minnesota-health-care-programs/provider/types/iep-resources/

Practitioners are additionally welcome to ask DHS questions, with open office hours occurring every 3rd Wednesday of each month using the link below:

CPT open office hours - Time change - Once a month starting November 19th. | Meeting-Join |Microsoft Teams

Looking for timely updates on various topics from MN Department of Human Services?

If you are curious about staying up to date with the happenings of the Department of Human Services in Minnesota, you can sign up for email updates on numerous topics affecting the OT profession in Minnesota directly on their webpage: https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/publications-forms-resources/email-subscriptions/

Looking for updates from AOTA?

If you are wanting to stay up to date on advocacy efforts nationally, please visits the AOTA Advocacy website. Here you can find key issues AOTA is monitoring at a national level that impact the OT profession, suggestions for practicing advocacy daily, how to engage with policy makers, and much more. You can also browse topics and take action on agenda items you care about through the AOTA Legislative Action Center.