The Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition recently sponsored two webinars for providers about addressing the clinical needs of older adults with mental health conditions. Both webinars were hosted by NBCC in collaboration with the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging. 

The first webinar, “Older Adult Mental Health 101,” took place Wednesday, March 20. The second webinar, “The Process of Working With Older Adults in Psychotherapy,” was held Thursday, March 21. Recordings of both webinars are available on NBCC’s website along with the corresponding slide presentations. 

The E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging works to engage, empower, and educate health care providers and community-based organizations for equity in behavioral health for older adults and their families. E4 achieves this mission through the provision of education, implementation of resources, and technical assistance regarding mental health, substance use, and their intersection with physical health. 

The coalition was pleased to welcome Erin Emery-Tiburcio and Matthew Fullen, who presented both webinars and answered participant questions during each. 

Dr. Emery-Tiburcio is a Professor of psychiatry, behavioral sciences, and geriatric medicine and Director of Geropsychology at Rush University Medical Center. She is also Codirector of the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging; Codirector of CATCH-ON, the HRSA-funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program based at Rush University Medical Center; and Codirector of the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging. 

Dr. Fullen is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech, where he teaches in the counselor education program. His research, teaching, and advocacy focus on the mental health needs of older adults, with an emphasis on addressing gaps in Medicare mental health policy and developing programs to enhance resilience and wellness and prevent suicide among older adults. Dr. Fullen is the counseling profession’s most active scholar on aging and mental health, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications and over 95 peer-reviewed conference presentations and keynotes. 

The omnibus appropriations bill for 2023 added counselors and MFTs to Medicare through language from the Mental Health Access Improvement Act. This accomplished what NBCC and the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition have been working toward for decades: As of Jan. 1, 2024, counselors and MFTs can now bill Medicare directly for covered services to beneficiaries over age 65 and people with disabilities who receive Medicare benefits.  

This was a great victory for the counseling profession, but many counselors have questions about working with Medicare. The Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition launched this ongoing webinar series to address questions and concerns and help counselors and MFTs navigate the Medicare program. 

You can view recordings of previous webinars on our website.