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Medicare, the federal insurance program for older Americans expanded mental health benefits at the beginning of the year. But are the changes enough to help a growing mental health gap? muratdeniz/Getty Images hide caption

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muratdeniz/Getty Images

Medicare, the federal insurance program for older Americans expanded mental health benefits at the beginning of the year. But are the changes enough to help a growing mental health gap?

muratdeniz/Getty Images

Accessing mental health services can be challenging for people on Medicare, the federal health insurance program available to most people over 65.

At the beginning of this year, the program expanded coverage to licensed professional counselors and licensed marriage and family counselors. But is this expansion enough to address a growing mental health gap in the United States.

NPR's Juana Summers talks to a licensed professional counselor and professor about what these changes could mean.

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This episode was producer by Avery Keatley. It was edited by Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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