Grassroots Action Center
We’ve witnessed how telehealth has transformed access to care for Medicare beneficiaries—particularly older adults with mobility limitations, transportation barriers, and those living in rural areas where providers are scarce. But without congressional action, critical Medicare telehealth flexibilities could expire this year, forcing countless seniors to lose access to the mental health care they depend on.
The CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1261/H.R. 4206) would make Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent, ensuring that older adults can continue receiving mental health services from the safety and comfort of their homes.
Why This Matters for Mental Health Counselors and Your Clients:
- Over 24 million Americans aged 65+ experience mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and grief—yet many face significant barriers to in-person care.
- 65% of rural counties have no psychiatrists, and 47% have no psychologists—Mental Health Counselors providing telehealth are often the only accessible providers.
- Nearly 40% of Medicare beneficiaries live in rural areas where transportation and distance create substantial access barriers.
- Medicare recipients use telehealth for 43% of behavioral health services compared to just 13% for standard office visits. Mental health conditions have become the top telehealth diagnosis since COVID-19, jumping from 34% to 67% of all remote visits.
- Older adults with mental health conditions depend on telehealth to maintain therapeutic relationships without the burden and cost of travel.
- Current temporary extensions create uncertainty for both providers and patients, threatening care continuity and forcing difficult practice planning decisions.
The CONNECT for Health Act permanently removes geographic restrictions, eliminates unnecessary in-person visit requirements for telemental health services, and expands provider eligibility—ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have equitable access to high-quality mental health care from Mental Health Counselors.
We must urge Congress to pass the CONNECT for Health Act and make Medicare telehealth permanent. Your clients’ mental health access depends on it!
