Center for Financing Reform & Innovation (CFRI)

https://www.samhsa.gov/libraries/cfri?utm_source=SAMHSA&utm_campaign=991c9cb0bc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_04_30_03_12&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-991c9cb0bc-167840245 Today, on Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day, SAMHSA issued a new Center for Financing Reform & Innovation (CFRI) report, “Coverage of Selected Behavioral Health Services Among Older Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries.” With 62 million Americans aged 65 and older in the U.S., mental health and substance use challenges such as depression, cognitive impairment, suicidal ideation and substance use disorders are an emerging and pressing public health concern. These issues are prevalent, under-treated, and often exacerbated by factors such as stigma, comorbid medical conditions, financial insecurity, and insufficient access to care. This study explores the provision and utilization of key behavioral health services for individuals covered under Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, and people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible individuals) using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services healthcare claims data from 2017 to 2021.