Huge News!  In the final hours of the legislative session, we were able to secure two major policy wins: Title Protection in MN Counties, and Optum Billing Reimbursement for Clinical Trainees!

Context:

Title Protection for MN Counties:

The Context:  Social work is a 125-year-old discipline rooted in evidence-based theories. Graduates must commit to and abide by a rigorous Code of Ethics.

The Problem: In Minnesota, county government is the only employment setting where staff can be assigned the title "Social Worker" without professional training or educational background.

The Solution: Honor the social work degree like other regulated professions (e.g., psychologist, attorney, nurse) and show respect for interdisciplinary teams by allowing colleagues with other backgrounds to be recognized for their own unique skills. Future-Focused: The bill applies solely to future county employees, explicitly excluding all current staff.  With this victory, MN Counties can no longer hire new employees under the title of Social Worker unless those employees hold the appropriate degrees/licenses.  You can learn more about it here: Title Protection in MN Counties FAQ

Clinical Trainee Reimbursement:

The Context: Clinical trainees are an important part of the mental health provider continuum. Authorized in Minnesota statute to practice under clinical supervision, they increase access for clients and build a pipeline of providers.

The Problem: Optum has indicated that care delivered by clinical trainees will no longer be eligible for reimbursement under its commercial plans without a specific contract addendum. While some providers hold older authorizations, these permits are currently unavailable to new applicants. No other major insurance carrier in Minnesota requires this type of specialized authorization for clinical trainee reimbursement.

The Solution: Statutory clarity will ensure uniformity in insurance reimbursement, fostering consistency for both providers and the clients they serve. Four other states (CA, CO, IA, MA) have taken this step, and now MN has joined the list!

We want to thank our members. Your membership dues power the advocacy that makes wins like these possible—not just for members, but for social workers across Minnesota.

We’re stronger when we stand together.
Join us: https://www.socialworkers.org/membership