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Optum Billing Survey

The Coalition of Licensed Social Workers, which includes NASW-MN and the MN Society for Clinical Social Work, are concerned about challenges social workers face billing Optum for services. This particularly impacts clinical trainees which is defined as someone who is pursuing a clinical license but is not yet practicing and billing independently and is working under the supervision of an independently licensed mental health professional. This includes LGSW, MSW, or provisional licenses.


We are pursuing solutions with partner organizations that include proposing legislation in the 2026 session and providing information to the state director on insurance parity. Please complete this survey to help our advocacy on behalf of clinical trainees.
1.What is the name of your agency? Identifying information will not be shared. This survey is for data collection only.
2.How does your organization currently or previously interact with Optum regarding clinical trainees? (Check all that apply)
3.How many clinical trainees are currently employed at your organization?
4.How many Qualified Mental Health Professionals (those independently licensed) who are also board certified supervisors does your organization have?
5.How many Qualified Mental Health Professionals (those independently licensed) who are NOT Board Certified Supervisors does your organization have?
6.On average, how many clinical trainees does each supervisor manage in your organization?
7.On average, how many hours does each clinical trainee see clients each month in your organization?
8.Approximately what percentage of your client base has Optum as their primary payor source?
9.Approximately how many clients insured by Optum as a primary or secondary option did you turn away between January-December, 2024 because clinical trainees are not reimbursed for their services?
10.How long is the average wait time for new clients?
11.If you are STILL submitting clinical trainee hours to Optum, on average, how many clinical trainee hours per month are NOT reimbursed by Optum?
12.If you are NO LONGER submitting trainee hours to Optum, on average, how many clinical trainee hours are provided to Optum clients without reimbursement?
13.Which populations does your agency serve (check all that apply)?
14.If your organization provide specialized services to racially or ethnically marginalized or minoritized populations, please specify the groups served:
15.If clinical trainees in your organization provide services in languages other than English, please specify which languages:
16.Our organization is primarily:
17.In what zip codes does your agency have physical locations?
18.Do you have any thoughts or experiences regarding Optum billing restrictions you would like to share with us?
19.Please share your name and contact information if you would like to share more with us or if we can reach out to you for more information if needed. Thank you!