Enhancing Older Adults’ Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Care
• Restructuring Medicare and Medicaid financing mechanisms • Continuing Medicare coverage for tele- mental health services By implementing these strategies, older adults will have better access to the necessary mental health services they need. If you are in need of assistance regarding your mental health or addiction, contact your Care Manager today.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a mental health crisis for older adults in America, who are facing a shortage of Medicare providers and needed services. Physical distancing and quarantine have led to isolation, loneliness, agitation, and withdrawal, resulting in a significant increase in anxiety and depressive disorders among seniors. Unfortunately, millions of older adults with mental and/or substance use disorders go undiagnosed, and the ongoing opioid crisis has only contributed to this trend. The National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging (NCOA) is dedicated to addressing the needs of aging Americans with mental health conditions and promoting the interests of older adults in accessing mental health services. The NCOA has identified several priorities to address the needs of seniors including: • Exploring incentive programs for providers • Expanding required training in geriatrics • Developing approaches to increasing the number of providers with geriatric mental health training • Incentivizing behavioral health providers to practice in rural and underserved areas • Expanding Medicare’s provider network
Sources: https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-to-improve-access- to-mental-health-and-substance-use-care-for-older-adults
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