AgeWell's Matthew Fullen speaks with New York Times on counseling, affordability, and Medicare reimbursement

AgeWell founder Dr. Matthew Fullen recently spoke with The New York Times about older adults’ increasing interest in psychotherapy—and its lack of affordability, often due to issues like the Medicare coverage gap.

“[Licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists] comprise about 40 percent of the mental health work force, but they’re not eligible under Medicare,” Fullen told the Times. “That’s a pretty heavy disincentive to getting the help you need.”

Medicare has not updated eligibility rules for practitioners since 1989, Dr. Fullen noted in the Times. Legislation to add licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists has passed both the House and Senate, but not in the same year. A new bill is working its way through the House now.

Read the full article and learn more about the ways AgeWell is advocating for Medicare reimbursement.