Colorado senator introduces bill on mental health coverage

Colorado Senator Michael Bennett and Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon have introduced federal legislation to expand access to mental and behavioral health care for Americans on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid. The My Better Mental Health Care for America Act would bring what’s known as “parity” for mental health coverage, making it equivalent to long-time provided coverage for physical health. If enacted, the legislation would benefit approximately 60 million seniors covered by Medicare as well as 90 million people enrolled in Medicaid. The proposed law would also ensure that Medicare Advantage plans maintain accurate directories of providers, increase Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates to incentivize mental and behavioral health integration with physical care, and require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to improve prevention services for mental and behavioral health. It is estimated that currently one in four older adults report having anxiety or depression. About a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries live with a mental illness, but less than half of them receive treatment for their illness.