The mental health of Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carli Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries

Rapid Growth In Mental Health Telemedicine Use Among Rural Medicare Beneficiaries, Wide Variation Across States

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 909-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ateev Mehrotra ◽  
Haiden A. Huskamp ◽  
Jeffrey Souza ◽  
Lori Uscher-Pines ◽  
Sherri Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries

Health plan, physician, and medical care ratings among end-of-life (EOL) cancer survivors.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 80-80
Author(s):  
Michael T. Halpern ◽  
Matthew Urato ◽  
Margot Schwartz ◽  
Erin E. Kent
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Cancer Site ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Plans ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Poor General Health

80 Background: High-quality EOL care is critical for patients and families. However, little is known about factors influencing patient satisfaction with their healthcare near EOL. This study’s objective is to assess the role of characteristics of individuals with cancer near EOL on their ratings for medical care, health plans, and physicians. Methods: Retrospective analyses of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Medicare Survey linked to NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. CAHPS collected Medicare beneficiaries’ ratings for overall care, physicians, health plans, and 5 composite scores of aspects of care; SEER provided data on cancer diagnosis and characteristics. The study included 5,102 Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with cancer in SEER regions 1997-2011 who completed CAHPS following diagnosis and within one year before death. Logistic regression was used to examine associations of EOL patient characteristics with their ratings. Results: Self-reported very good or excellent (vs. poor) general health significantly (p < 0.05) predicted greater likelihood of higher ratings for all measures (ORs ranged 1.5 to 2.2). Very good/excellent mental health also predicted increased likelihood of higher ratings for all except one category (ORs 1.8 to 2.7). Other patient factors were significantly associated with a subset of ratings. For example, Hispanics (vs. Whites) were more likely to provide higher ratings for health plans (OR 1.5) and specialist physicians (OR 1.7) but lower ratings for getting needed care (OR 0.62). Fee-for-service (vs. Medicare Advantage) beneficiaries were more likely to provide higher ratings for health plans, getting needed care, and getting care quickly (ORs 1.4, 1.3, 1.6). Patient age, cancer site, and time since diagnosis had few or no significant associations with any measure. Conclusions: Among cancer patients near EOL, better self-reported general and mental health consistently predicted higher ratings. Fee-for-service Medicare patients provided higher ratings for several important categories. These results may help guide future research on interventions to improve the EOL experience among Medicare beneficiaries.

scholarly journals Differences by Race, Religiosity, and Mental Health in Preferences for Life-Prolonging Treatment Among Medicare Beneficiaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1981-1983
Author(s):  
Justin J. Sanders ◽  
Anna I. Berrier ◽  
Léonce Nshuti ◽  
James A. Tulsky ◽  
Charlotta Lindvall
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries

The impact of excluded providers on Medicare beneficiaries’ mental health care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Fullen ◽  
Megan L. Dolbin‐MacNab ◽  
Jonathan D. Wiley ◽  
Nancy Brossoie ◽  
Gerard Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
The Impact

A Case of the Tail Wagging the Dog: The Medicare Mental Health Coverage Gap and Its Impact on Providers and Beneficiaries

2022 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-48
Author(s):  
Amy A. Morgan ◽  
Matthew C. Fullen ◽  
Jonathan D. Wiley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Marriage And Family ◽  
Coverage Gap ◽  
Medicare Policy

Nearly one in four Medicare beneficiaries have been diagnosed with mental health or substance use disorders, and research indicates this population responds well to mental health treatment. However, Medicare policy omits licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) as approved providers, exacerbating an existing national provider shortage. Emerging research demonstrates that the provider omission, referred to as the Medicare mental health coverage gap (MMHCG), profoundly impacts excluded providers and the communities they serve. This paper represents a synthesis of the most current scholarship on Medicare research, policy, and advocacy. In particular, we explore three ways the MMHCG impacts providers and beneficiaries alike: limiting provider choices, thwarting continuity of care, and creating challenging decisions for beneficiaries and providers. Our aim is to help mental health counselors better understand and navigate the MMHCG and aid in advocacy efforts for legislation to include LMHCs and LMFTs as approved Medicare providers.

scholarly journals MEDICARE IS THE LAST HOLDOUT: EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF MEDICARE POLICY ON OLDER ADULTS’ ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S691-S691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C Fullen ◽  
Jonathan Wiley ◽  
Amy Morgan ◽  
Gerard Lawson ◽  
Jyotsana Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Community Mental Health Agencies ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Medicare is the primary insurance provider for approximately 59 million Americans, and the number of beneficiaries is expected to surpass 80 million by 2030. Currently, Medicare regulations allow psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurses to provide mental health services. These providers were last updated in 1989 with passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989. Since that time, the mental health marketplace has changed dramatically, and Medicare beneficiaries are unable to access care from approximately 200,000 graduate-level mental health professionals with similar training to eligible Medicare providers. There is evidence that this Medicare mental health coverage gap (MMHCG) impacts both providers and beneficiaries. For example, some beneficiaries may begin treatment only to have services interrupted, or stopped altogether, once the provider is no longer able to be reimbursed by Medicare. We surveyed 6,550 members of the American Counseling Association, including 3,815 who identified themselves as practicing counselors. These individuals work in diverse contexts (e.g., community mental health agencies, private practice, and integrated care settings). Survey results indicated that a significant number of practicing counselors turn away or refer Medicare beneficiaries who seek mental health care due to the MMHCG. In-depth interviews were also completed with eight licensed mental health professionals who detailed the challenges they and their clients experienced. Participants perceived a discrepancy between Medicare’s intended aims to promote health and provider restrictions that were confusing and frustrating to navigate. Participants concluded that the MMHCG has a negative impact on older adult clients.

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