Does Medicare Care About Anxiety: Views of Home Care Social Workers

Abstract

This study addresses the lack of research on the perceptions of home care social workers as to how the Medicare home health benefit addresses anxiety. The findings are based on interviews of 44 home care social workers from five home health agencies in the New York City area. Four themes emerged. Social workers believe: (1) there is extensive anxiety among Medicare home health beneficiaries; (2) Medicare home health’s mandatory assessment for anxiety is limited and not done by social workers; (3) Medicare home health does not require treatment or coverage of anxiety; (4) the lack of coverage for patients assessed with anxiety creates and exacerbates mental and physical health conditions. Policymakers should modify the Medicare home health benefit to cover anxiety.