WASHINGTON (Nov. 28, 2023) — Beginning in January, Medicare will start covering marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors for the first time ever, a transfer that can considerably increase the psychological well being workforce. The change is important as a result of it might assist tackle a psychological well being care disaster within the US, which is made worse due to a scarcity of accessible psychological well being suppliers in sure areas.

“A strong behavioral health workforce is urgently needed to address the rising rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and other mental health issues in the United State,” says Clese Erikson, the Deputy Director of the Health Workforce Research Center on the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity on the George Washington University. “Medicare’s expansion in the workforce will help seniors find much-needed care for depression and other mental health needs.”

Under the previous system, Medicare coated solely psychological well being companies supplied by psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed medical social employees and psychiatric nurses. But many psychiatrists and psychologists don’t take part in Medicare saying the cost charges are low or there’s an excessive amount of crimson tape.

Erikson and her staff just lately launched a new online tool that tracks the situation and numbers of psychiatric specialists, counselors, therapists and others that present psychological well being care.  Users can create customized maps that present how the behavioral well being supplier provide accessible to Medicare beneficiaries will enhance right down to the county stage. 

Using that new software, they calculate that Medicare’s growth in January will enhance the ranks of these eligible to offer psychological well being care to seniors by 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 suppliers. The enhance will go a good distance towards serving to seniors achieve entry to psychological well being companies, together with in rural areas or elements of the nation with a scarcity of psychological well being care, Erikson says.

To schedule an interview with Erikson or one other well being workforce professional on the Mullan Institute, primarily based on the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, please contact Kathy Fackelmann, [email protected]

-GW-