The Mental Health of Medicare Beneficiaries With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Impact and Implications Our study suggests almost half of Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities had symptoms of anxiety and more than one-third symptoms of depression during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; as such, therapists need to be prepared to support this population during and after the pandemic, especially in relation to the pandemic challenges they faced. In addition, given a significant proportion of Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities did not receive the counseling/therapy services they needed during the pandemic, mental health service provision for Medicare beneficiaries should be expanded. Purpose: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a tremendous increase in adverse mental and behavioral health symptoms. People with disabilities who are Medicare beneficiaries (under 65) are a vulnerable population, frequently having multiple chronic conditions, and facing a number of social disadvantages, even before the pandemic. As a result of the lack of attention drawn to the pandemic needs and experiences of people with disabilities, as well as the increased needs of Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities, the aim of this study is to examine the mental health of Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: To do so, we conducted a secondary analysis of United States Census Bureau COVID-19 Household Pulse Survey data from 65,639 (unweighted) people with disabilities who were Medicare beneficiaries. Generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), respectively. Results: Our findings (weighted) revealed, during the pandemic, 43.3% of Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities had symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, and 36.8% had symptoms of major depressive disorder. In addition, 15.3% said they needed counseling/therapy from a mental health professional but did not get it. Conclusions: Many Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder during the pandemic, and a lack of access to needed mental health services. As the pandemic continues, and in wake of recovery from the pandemic, it is important to pay attention to, and target the, mental health disparities unearthed in this study.