By Darren Grubb, Medicare Advantage Majority spokesperson
Mental health care shouldn’t feel out of reach – but for too many older adults, it does. For many, the hardest part isn’t wanting help, it’s navigating the system to get it. Finding a provider, scheduling a visit, or waiting for care can feel discouraging and out of reach.
When care is easily accessible – a counselor to listen, a nurse to call, or medication just a click away – everything changes. That’s when healthcare stops feeling distant and starts feeling dependable. And for the more than 34 million Americans who depend on Medicare Advantage, it’s what turns mental healthcare from a promise into something they can count on.
This month, we recognized World Mental Health Day, a reminder that emotional health is not a luxury or an afterthought. It shapes how we live each day, supporting independence, connection, and dignity. The truth is simple: mental healthcare is healthcare.
One in three seniors (34%) have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, and 62% say these conditions affect their daily life. Yet mental health concerns among older adults are widespread and too often overlooked.
Through Medicare Advantage, care feels more connected and complete. Coverage often includes therapy and counseling, makes it easier to reach providers through telehealth, and coordinates support between mental and physical health teams. From wellness programs to 24/7 nurse lines, the goal is simple: to give every older adult the support they need to feel seen, heard, and cared for.
There’s comfort in knowing your plan won’t let you down. Consistency and trust matter just as much as coverage. Time and again, older adults say it’s not only the care itself, but the dependability of that care, that gives them confidence.
Consistency and trust are as important as coverage itself, especially since more than half of older adults (56%) say their biggest worry is losing independence. It’s not just what’s covered that counts, it’s knowing that the care behind it is steady, supportive, and protects dignity and confidence.
The stories shared on the Medicare Advantage Majority Stories page capture what no statistic can. These voices come from real seniors who remind us that Medicare Advantage is more than a collection of benefits – it’s a promise of care and consistency. Reliable coverage helps people sleep better, connect more deeply with loved ones, and approach each day with confidence. That’s what Medicare Advantage does at its best: it makes feeling well as much a priority as being well.
Every day, but especially during moments of reflection like World Mental Health Day – we’re reminded that protecting Medicare Advantage means protecting the security so many older adults rely on. Cuts or rollbacks aren’t just about dollars and data, they’re about real people whose calm, stability, and dignity are on the line.
Peace of mind isn’t just a phrase. It’s the promise at the heart of Medicare Advantage — and that’s something worth protecting.