Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover therapy and counseling?
Yes — Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health services including individual and group psychotherapy, depression screening, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. You pay 20% of Medicare-approved amounts after your Part B deductible. The same cost-sharing applies as medical services — a significant improvement from historical rules.
Does Medicare cover depression treatment?
Yes — Medicare covers depression treatment comprehensively. Part B covers outpatient therapy, psychiatrist visits, and medication management. Part D covers antidepressant medications. A free annual depression screening is covered under the Annual Wellness Visit. Inpatient psychiatric care is covered under Part A.
Does Medicare cover a psychiatrist?
Yes — Medicare Part B covers psychiatrist visits at the same 80/20 cost-sharing as other physician visits. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, provide therapy, and manage complex mental health conditions. You pay 20% of approved costs after the Part B deductible.
How many therapy sessions does Medicare cover?
Medicare Part B covers as many therapy sessions as are medically necessary — there is no annual session limit. Your therapist and doctor determine the appropriate number of sessions based on your clinical needs. Cost-sharing (20% coinsurance) applies to each session after your Part B deductible.
Does Medicare cover anxiety medication?
Yes — Medicare Part D covers most medications used to treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions including SSRIs, SNRIs, benzodiazepines, and buspirone. Part D plans must cover at least two drugs in each therapeutic category, and for antidepressants, they must cover all or substantially all drugs in the category.
Medicare covers mental health care comprehensively — therapy, psychiatry, medication, and inpatient care are all included. Depression affects an estimated 15–20% of Americans over 65, yet only a fraction receive treatment. Understanding your Medicare mental health benefits is the first step to getting help. Here is exactly what is covered.
Part B: Outpatient Mental Health Services
Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health services with the same 80/20 cost-sharing as medical care (you pay 20% after the Part B deductible). Covered services include:
- Individual psychotherapy (with or without medication management)
- Group psychotherapy
- Family psychotherapy (when the purpose is to treat the beneficiary's condition)
- Psychiatric evaluation and diagnostic assessment
- Medication management by a psychiatrist or other qualified provider
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) for mental health — intensive outpatient care
- Crisis counseling and intervention services
Who Can Provide Medicare-Covered Mental Health Care
Medicare covers mental health services provided by: psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and clinical nurse specialists in psychiatry. All must accept Medicare assignment for Medicare to pay its share.
Use Medicare.gov's Care Compare tool to find mental health providers who accept Medicare in your area. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or ask your primary care doctor for a referral. Telehealth mental health visits are now permanently covered by Medicare — you can see a therapist from home via video or phone.
Telehealth Mental Health — A Major Improvement
Medicare permanently expanded telehealth coverage for mental health following the pandemic. You can now receive therapy, psychiatry, and medication management via video or audio call from the comfort of your home. This has dramatically expanded access for seniors with mobility limitations, those in rural areas, and those who feel more comfortable at home.
Telehealth mental health visits are covered at the same rate as in-person visits — 80% by Medicare, 20% by you after the deductible.
Part A: Inpatient Psychiatric Care
If you need inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, Medicare Part A covers care in a psychiatric hospital or a psychiatric unit of a general hospital. Important caveat: Medicare limits inpatient psychiatric hospital care to 190 days in a lifetime. However, there is no lifetime limit for psychiatric care in general hospital psychiatric units.
Free Mental Health Screening Under Medicare
Medicare Part B covers a free annual depression screening as part of your Annual Wellness Visit — with no copay or deductible. Ask your doctor explicitly for a depression screening at your next Annual Wellness Visit. Other free mental health-related preventive services include alcohol misuse screening and counseling.
Addressing the Stigma
Depression and anxiety in seniors are often undertreated because of stigma, or because seniors and their families attribute symptoms to "just getting older." Depression is not a normal part of aging. It is a treatable medical condition — as treatable as high blood pressure or diabetes. Untreated depression in seniors significantly increases risks of cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.
If you are experiencing persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, or thoughts of death — tell your doctor. Medicare will cover the care you need.
- Ask your doctor for a free depression screening at your Annual Wellness Visit
- Know that therapy sessions have no annual limit under Medicare
- Consider telehealth mental health services — available from home, fully covered
- Check that your mental health provider accepts Medicare before your first appointment
- Part D covers antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications — review your formulary
- If you are struggling, call SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential)