Committee hears bill to preserve reimbursement for clinical trainees in mental‑health and SUD care

Senate File 4018, presented March 17 by Senator Wicklund, would codify the role of clinical trainees across the mental‑health continuum and confirm that payers reimburse for trainee‑delivered services under supervision.

Shannon Brown, CEO of Fernbrook Family Center and board chair of Aspire Minnesota, told the committee her agency employs 131 therapists—72 of them clinical trainees—who receive at least two hours of weekly supervision. Brown said reimbursement parity is essential: if payers decline to cover trainee‑delivered services, agencies would be forced to stop hiring trainees and reduce capacity, increasing wait times and reducing in‑home services.

“Without reimbursement for these services, agencies will be forced to no longer hire clinical trainees and only hire fully licensed mental health providers, which would severely shrink capacity at a time when we already have a strained system,” Brown said.

Senator Wicklund framed the bill as codifying existing practice and ensuring continuity across payers and payor types. Committee members had no extended debate; SF 4018 was laid over for further consideration.