Medicare to expand mental health counseling access

Buried deep in the recesses of the 4,100-page omnibus package to fund the federal government recently passed by Congress and signed by President Biden, is an Act which will expand access to mental health professionals for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828 / H. R. 432) will allow Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) to become covered Medicare providers. This part of the omnibus package will become effective January 1, 2024. The Act received bipartisan support.

The implementation delay will allow federal government to make arrangements for MFTs and MHCs to serve as Medicare providers. This Act will expand the pool of mental health professionals available to Medicare beneficiaries by over 200,000. Many Medicare beneficiaries in the rural and underserved parts of Nebraska do not have geographically accessible mental health providers available. Bipartisan sponsors of this Act hope to alleviate this accessibility gap not only in Nebraska but in rural areas throughout the country.

Currently, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatric nurses can be reimbursed for mental and behavioral mental health services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Before the passage of this act, mental health counselors (MHCs) and marriage and family therapists (MFTs) could not be reimbursed by Medicare for their services.

Many federal programs already recognize and reimburse the mental health services provided by MFTs and MHCs including the Department of Veterans Affairs and Tricare.

MHCs and MFTs are licensed in all 50 states to provide independent mental health services. These professionals must obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, two years postgraduate supervised experience and pass a national exam to obtain a license to practice independently.

Mental health issues are common among older adults: 4 in 10 people 65 and older stated that they have experienced mental health concerns for themselves, family, or friends, according to a May 2022 survey from CVS Health and Morning Consult. In addition, 1 in 5 older adults, ages 50 to 80, said their overall mental health had worsened since the start of the pandemic, according to a May 2021 University of Michigan poll.

Volunteers Assisting Seniors provides free and unbiased Medicare information at 402-444-6617 or by email at vas-nebraska.org.

1941 South 42nd Street, Suite 312 Omaha, Ne. 68105 (The old Center Mall on the corner of 42nd and Center) www.vas-nebraska. org.

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for Nebraskans ages 60 and older. Information offered to help the state’s older men and women with questions on topics like bankruptcy, homestead exemptions, powers of attorney, Medicare, Medicaid, and Section 8 housing.

The number for the Elder Access Line is 402-8275656 in Omaha and 1-800527-7249 statewide.

This service is available to Nebraskans ages 60 and older regardless of income, race, or ethnicity.

The Legal Aid of Nebraska hours of operation are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday.