WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) has introduced bipartisan legislation expanding access to mental health care for Medicare recipients. H.R. 3662, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act, will add thousands of highly qualified licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists (MFTs) to the network of providers eligible to serve Medicare beneficiaries.

“Access to quality mental health care shouldn’t be dependent on how old you are, where you live or how much money you make,” said Thompson. “This legislation will allow thousands of mental health care professionals to provide quality, affordable care to people on Medicare, and it will save money.”

He added, “Right now, there are more than 600 licensed MFTs in my congressional district and more than 31,000 licensed MFTs in California that can provide quality mental health services. Our goal should be to expand access to these professionals and the comprehensive and quality care they provide, not limit it.”

Medicare currently recognizes psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatric nurses to provide covered mental health services.

However, mental health counselors and MFTs, who have equivalent education and training to clinical social workers and provide roughly 40 percent of mental health services, are not eligible to be reimbursed by Medicare.

H.R. 3662 would fix this discrepancy by making mental health counselors and MFTs eligible to serve Medicare beneficiaries, adding more than 165,000 licensed practitioners to the Medicare program.

Studies have shown that seniors in the Medicare program are often at the highest risk for mental health problems that are not part of the normal aging process such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders and suicide.

Many of these mental illnesses can be diagnosed and properly treated if the appropriate care is available, sought and accessed. However, if left untreated, it can lead to higher medical costs and negative health effects.

Currently, Medicare beneficiaries who were seeking mental health services from mental health counselors or MFTs prior to their eligibility for Medicare, often stop receiving treatment because their existing provider is not under Medicare.

Thompson’s legislation will ensure that seniors have comprehensive access to qualified mental health providers by increasing the pool of mental health professionals that are eligible to serve Medicare beneficiaries.

“The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) applauds Representative Thompson for his commitment to ensuring a robust mental health workforce for older Americans,” said Thomas W. Clawson, president and chief executive officer of the National Board for Certified Counselors.

“Medicare provides health care to over 49 million people and research shows that fewer than 40 percent of older adults with mental or substance use disorders obtain treatment,” Clawson said. “The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act will increase access to needed care by expanding the pool of qualified mental health professionals. Adding mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists as eligible providers will make 200,000 licensed professionals immediately available to the Medicare population. This addition will expand access and reduce costs by providing care in the community and avoiding expensive inpatient services. NBCC commends Representative Thompson for taking a leadership role in this important legislation.”

“Members of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists enthusiastically applaud and support Congressman Mike Thompson's bill to provide greater mental health services to our elderly population,” said Guillermo Alvarez, chairman of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. “By allowing Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists to become Medicare providers, many Californians will benefit from their expertise in treating a variety of mental health issues.”

H.R. 3662 is co-authored by Republican Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19). The bill has been referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, of which Thompson is a senior member.

Thompson represents California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.