Ca. Social Security Code § 51505.3 - Psychology Services

(a) Reimbursement for psychology services shall be the usual charges made to the general public not to exceed the maximum reimbursement rates published on the Department's Medi-Cal Provider website for the procedure codes that apply to psychology services. Psychology services include, but are not limited to, group therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, psychodiagnostic services, and case conferences.

(b) Group therapy shall include at least two but not more than 10 persons, at any session. A group therapy session shall be a minimum of one hour.

(c) Family therapy shall include at least two members of the immediate family, at any session, as defined by subsection (c) of Section 51466.

(d) The following requirements shall apply to psychodiagnostic services:

(1) Psychodiagnostic services shall include test administration, scoring, and, when required, a written test report summarizing the performance and behavior results. Test administration shall include any pretest interview, pretest instruction, and test materials. Test administration shall be concluded within seven consecutive work days. Psychodiagnostic time allowances shall only apply to the actual time the psychologist is involved in rendering a given service.

(2) Group psychodiagnostic testing shall include at least two but not more than 10 persons, at any session.

(3) The psychodiagnostic tests performed shall be reported on the billing form.

(4) A computer scored test shall be billed using the computer firm's charge for the service. A computer scored test shall be reimbursed at the computer firm's usual charge up to the maximum reimbursement rate for this test, published on the Department's Medi-Cal Provider website for the procedure codes that apply to psychology services.

(e) A case conference shall be limited to a conference with persons immediately involved in the care or recovery of the client.

Notes

Ca. Social Security Code § 51505.3

Note: Authority cited: Sections 10725, 14105.05 and 14124.5, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections 14105, 14105.05 and 14132, Welfare and Institutions Code; Statutes of 1982, Chapter 1594, Section 77; Statutes of 1983, Chapter 323, Section 149; Statutes of 1984, Chapter 258, Items 4260-106-001 and 890; Statutes of 1984, Chapter 268, Section 66; Statutes of 1985, Chapter 111, Items 4260-106-001 and 890; and Statutes of 2000, Chapter 52, Items 4260-101-0001 and 0890.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 10725, 14105 and 14124.5, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections 14105 and 14132, Welfare and Institutions Code; Statutes of 1982, Chapter 1594, Section 77; Statutes of 1983, Chapter 323, Section 149; Statutes of 1984, Chapter 258, Items 4260-106-001 and 890; Statutes of 1984, Chapter 268, Section 66; Statutes of 1985, Chapter 111, Items 4260-106-001 and 890; and Statutes of 2000, Chapter 52, Items 4260-101-0001 and 0890.

1. Amendment of subsection (g) filed 8-1-84 as an emergency; effective upon filing (Register 84, No. 31). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL within 120 days or emergency language will be repealed on 11-29-84. For prior history, see Register 83, No. 22.
2. Certificate of Compliance transmitted to OAL 11-27-84 and filed 12-27-84 (Register 84, No. 52).
3. Amendment of subsection (g) filed 8-1-85 as an emergency; effective upon filing (Register 85, No. 32). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL within 120 days or emergency language will be repealed on 11-29-85.
4. Editorial correction of History 3. (Register 85, No. 52).
5. Certificate of Compliance as to 8-1-85 order transmitted to OAL 11-20-85 and filed 12-27-85 (Register 85, No. 52).
6. Amendment of subsections (c), (c)(3), (d)(6) and (g) filed 9-25-92 as an emergency; operative 10-1-92 (Register 92, No. 40). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL 1-25-93 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
7. Certificate of Compliance as to 9-25-92 order transmitted to OAL 1-22-93 and filed 3-9-93 (Register 93, No. 11).
8. Amendment of subsection (g), new subsection (h) and amendment of Note filed 7-16-2002; operative rates for services provided on or after 8-1-2000 pursuant to Stats. 2000, c. 52 Items 4260-101-0001 and 0890 (Register 2002, No. 29).
9. Certificate of Compliance as to 7-16-2002 order, including repealer of subsection (h), transmitted to OAL 11-12-2002 and filed 12-24-2002 (Register 2002, No. 52).
10. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 4-3-2025; operative 7/1/2025 (Register 2025, No. 14).