New Year, New Access: Medicare Enhances Mental Health Services with Counselor Coverage.

As of January 1, over 65 million Americans relying on Medicare will experience improved mental health coverage, including therapy with licensed marriage and family counselors and licensed professional counselors. These therapist types constitute 40% of master’s level mental health providers, according to the American Counseling Association.

Professor Victoria Kress, a licensed professional counselor at Youngstown State University, discussed the delayed passage of this law with Juana Summers on All Things Considered. She attributed the delay to various legislative iterations and strategies, with fiscal concerns being a major factor.

“So 18% of Americans receive Medicare, and they’re going to overnight have access to so many more providers.”