Improving access to mental health care for older adults in Medicare Advantage
Official title: Access to Mental Health Care Specialists in Medicare Advantage: Improving Outcomes for Older Adults
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10947139 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how easy it is for older adults to see mental health specialists through Medicare Advantage plans and how that affects their treatment and well-being, so we can better understand and improve access to care for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 18, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $181,768 |
| NIH project number | 1K01MH137322-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947139 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and over who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans and experiencing mental health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under 65 years of age or those not enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the challenges older adults face in accessing mental health care specialists within Medicare Advantage plans. It aims to understand how geographic access to these specialists affects the mental health treatment and outcomes for older adults. By analyzing Medicare claims data, the research will identify variations in access and evaluate how having in-network mental health specialists influences care utilization and clinical outcomes. The study also seeks to explore factors that may affect this access and its impact on older patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to mental health care for older adults, enhancing their treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that improving access to mental health specialists can significantly enhance treatment outcomes for older adults, suggesting that this approach may yield positive results.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meiselbach, Mark — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Meiselbach, Mark
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.