Bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate would increase access to mental health services by permitting Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) to be reimbursed by Medicare. Medicare covers more than 59 million Americans. These individuals cannot currently receive mental health services provided by a LPCs or LMFTs. This limits access to healthcare unnecessarily, especially in rural areas where mental health providers or more likely to be LPCs. Do your own research. You will likely not be able to find a therapist in your area that accepts Medicare at this time.

The Mental Health Access Improvement Act will enable the nation's 200,000 LPCs and thousands of LMFTs to be reimbursed by Medicare and beneficiaries and to help the seniors who need their services. Currently, Medicaid, private health plans, and TRICARE provide access to mental health care by LPCs and LMFTs. It is time for Medicare to be updated. 

Please cosponsor S.286 and H.R. 945. Please share with anyone you know who has received mental health counseling or may need it in the future. Please share with your legislators.