BY CATHERINE WHITE
In the classroom
The bottom line
2025-26 CCISD student-to-counselor ratios The district has 106 counselors across all campuses.
Improving access to mental health care requires earlier intervention and stronger integration with primary health care systems, Usanga said. “The reason we have mammograms and other screenings is so we’re not at a point where there’s very little that can be done,” she said. “The same exact thing goes for behavioral health care.” At Coastal Health and Wellness, Baker said behavioral health services are integrated alongside primary medical, pediatric and dental care through federal funding. Additionally, Chevallier pointed to Houston Methodist’s virtual collaborative care program, which allows primary care physicians to refer patients directly to licensed clinical social workers within the same health care network. “Behavioral health integration with primary care has become increasingly important, because many patients first present concerns during routine medical exams,” Baker said. Despite ongoing barriers involving cost, insurance and provider availability, Usanga said awareness of mental health has continued to improve, supporting more integration and preventive care. “[Millennials and Gen. Z] are much more aware of the impact of mental illness and challenges that they are facing,” Usanga said. “They are willing to express when they need help. I feel optimistic about the future of behavioral health.”
Kristina Ford, CCISD’s director of counseling and student services, said counseling services help students manage academic and personal challenges while connecting families with outside support when needed. Elementary had the highest student-to-coun- selor ratios for the 2025-26 school year, reflecting a higher overall enrollment than intermediate and high school. “Service availability in the community can fluctuate, which may affect how quickly students can be matched with the right level of support,” Ford said.
High school
Intermediate Elementary
4.3
Counselors per 100 students
6
4.4
SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Something to know
CMS reimbursement per clinical hour Current procedural terminology, or CPT, codes represent standard outpatient billing categories for mental health and primary care services.
In addition to high private pay costs, Usanga said many behavioral health professionals no longer accept insurance because reimbursement rates are often too low to cover operating expenses. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, publishes standard Medicare outpatient payment rates that private insurers often use as benchmarks for reimbursement rates. Psychotherapy is billed in fixed time-based sessions, while outpatient medical visits are billed based on the type of care provided, including low-, moderate- and high-complexity visits. Outpatient medical visits are reimbursed at a higher rate per unit of clinician time than psycho- therapy sessions, CMS data shows. Reimbursement rates also don’t take into account the unpaid time therapists spend on care coordination outside appointments, Usanga said.
Non-facility price
Reimbursement per hour
Psychotherapy, 60 minutes
$167.62 $167.62
Psychotherapy, 30 minutes $86.16
$172.32
Office outpatient est. low, 20 minutes $94.68
$280.04
Office outpatient est. mod, 30 minutes $134.85
$269.70
SOURCE: CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
21
BAY AREA EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook