Does Medicare Cover Mental Health Therapy? A Guide for Seniors

If you are an older adult seeking therapy, you might be wondering: Does Medicare cover mental health therapy? Thankfully, the answer is yes.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care; Medicare Part B covers outpatient psychotherapy and diagnostics; and Part D covers any medications you may need to support your mental health.

Mental health challenges impact older adults more than you might realize, with research finding that about 19% of older adults experience depression and over 16% live with anxiety. Research also finds that many older adults don’t seek the mental health support that they need, and many report that concerns about cost is a top reason why.

Not only can you be assured that your therapy needs will be covered, but thanks to Medicare expansion rules put in place starting during the pandemic, Medicare now covers telehealth therapy, so you can receive therapy in the comfort of your own home.

Key takeaways

• Medicare covers therapy for older adults, with Medicare Part B covering therapy in a therapist’s office or clinic.
• Medicare will cover traditional one-on-one therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and couples counseling.
• There isn’t a limit to how many sessions Medicare will cover, as long as it's considered medically necessary.

Understanding mental health therapy under Medicare

In the mental health world, therapy is usually defined as any treatment where a person receives support managing their feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. Most therapy treatments happen one-on-one with a licensed mental health counselor or licensed mental health therapist. This type of therapy is referred to as psychotherapy, or “talk therapy.” Sometimes therapy takes place in a group setting, which is referred to as group psychotherapy.

In most cases, there is no limit on the number of therapy sessions you can receive with a Medicare provider. However, the provider will have to document that your therapy sessions are a medical necessity.

If you are using Medicare to pay for therapy, you must see a licensed therapist for your care. This therapist has to be a Medicare Part B provider, which means that they accept Medicare assignment, and are willing to be paid the amount that Medicare has approved for therapy. While you may need to meet a deductible or owe a copayment or coinsurance, a therapist who accepts Medicare isn’t allowed to charge other extra fees.

Inpatient mental health coverage (Medicare part A)

Medicare Part A — also known as hospital insurance — is the portion of your Medicare insurance that covers hospitalization, including mental health hospitalization. This is also sometimes referred to as inpatient mental health coverage. 

What’s covered

Medicare covers hospitalization for mental health at both general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals. Some of the services Medicare will cover if you are hospitalized for mental health reasons include:

• Meals
• Nursing care
• Medications
• Semi-private rooms
• Hospital supplies
• Mental health services from a healthcare provider during your hospital stay

It’s also important to understand that there are certain hospital services Medicare will not cover. These include:

• A private room, unless medically necessary
• Private nursing care
• A television or phone for your room (though you can pay extra for this out-of-pocket)
• Your personal care items, like toothpaste or socks

Cost sharing and limits

There are certain limits to be aware of when it comes to Medicare hospital coverage for mental health.

First, there is a psychiatric hospital limit for Medicare, which means there is a limit to how many days of inpatient psychiatric care Medicare will cover. That limit is 190 days of care in your lifetime, after which point your care will not be covered.

Here’s what to know about what costs are covered during your hospital stay and what money you may owe. As of 2025:

• For the first sixty days of coverage, you will need to meet your $1676 deductible, but you won’t owe anything else.
• For days 61 to 90, you will need to pay $419 out-of-pocket per day.
• For days 91 onward and until your lifetime reserve ends, you’ll need to pay $838 per day.
• You will owe 20% of the Medicare-approved cost for mental health services from healthcare providers during your hospital stay.

Outpatient mental health coverage (Medicare Part B)

Medicare Part B is the portion of your care that covers mental health services you receive outside of a hospital setting. This includes therapy you might get at a clinic, a therapist’s office, or online (teletherapy)

Eligible services

There are many types of outpatient therapy services covered by Medicare. Medicare Part B therapy eligible services include:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Couples therapy
• Depression screenings
• Psychiatric evaluations
• Medication management
• Diagnostic tests
• Safety planning interventions for people at risk of suicide or drug overdose
• Alcohol misuse screenings and counseling
• Opioid use disorder counseling and therapy
• Mental health services for substance abuse treatment
• Partial hospitalization
• Intensive outpatient program services

Provider types

Medicare Part B therapy providers must be licensed and must be official Medicare providers. There are many different types of providers who can meet this criteria, including:

• Psychiatrists
• Physicians (MDs or DOs)
• Clinical social workers
• Nurse practitioners
• Clinical nurse specialists
• Physician assistants
• Mental health counselors
• Marriage and family therapists

Costs and billing

If your healthcare provider accepts your Medicare assignment, your yearly depression screening costs nothing to you. This screening typically happens at your annual check-up with your physician.

As for diagnosis and treatment of a mental health condition, after assignment acceptance, you’ll owe 20% of the cost of each session, once you’ve met your Part B deductible. If any of your services take place in an outpatient hospital or clinic, you may owe additional coinsurance or copayments to the clinic or hospital.

Telehealth options

Due to new regulations put in place during the pandemic, Medicare now covers telehealth services for recipients. Here’s what to know about telehealth options for Medicare recipients:

• These services can be provided in your own home or another location.
• You can receive care through video or audio-only options.
• Telehealth services covered include psychotherapy, mental health office visits, and other mental health assessments and consultations.
• Cost is the same as other mental health services covered by Medicare — after you meet your deductible, you owe 20% of the Medicare-approved cost of services.

Prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D)

Medicare Part D covers any medication you may need to support your mental health and well-being. Part D medication coverage includes:

• Antidepressants
• Antianxiety medications
• Antipsychotic medication

Which specific medications your plan covers depends on its formulary, which is a list of covered medications. This list may change over time, depending on factors such as cost, the release of new drugs, or new data about a particular medication. You can learn more about what drugs your plan covers by directly contacting your Medicare Part plan. 

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) and other options

Medicare Advantage Plans – also known as Medicare Part C – are Medicare health plans that are offered by private insurance companies. These companies must be approved by Medicare. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, this plan will cover all of your Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B coverage. Depending on your plan, it may cover Medicare Part D as well.

Medicare Advantage plans may cover some mental health services or providers that original Medicare doesn’t cover. Often, your plan will require you to receive a referral for a mental health specialist or other mental health provider. Prior authorization for services is also usually required.

Additional therapy benefits

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is a type of extra insurance Medicare recipients can purchase through a private health insurance company. Medigap can cover some of the costs that your original Medicare plan doesn’t cover, like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. In terms of mental health services, Medigap may cover more days of inpatient hospital care than original Medicare plans do.

Medicaid and VA benefits

Medicaid is a type of health insurance for lower-income individuals. Each state has different criteria of who can qualify for these services. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid may cover some of the mental health costs Medicare doesn’t cover, such as deductibles and copayments. Medicaid also covers certain services that Medicare doesn’t cover, including assistance with personal care needs, in-home care, and nursing home care.

If you are a veteran, your VA benefits may also help you cover your mental health needs. You can access these benefits through your local VA health center, an online self-help portal, via a smartphone app, or through a telehealth session. You can use your VA benefits along with your Medicare benefits.

How to find and choose a Medicare-covered therapist

Selecting a therapist is an important and empowering first step on your mental health journey. Here is how to find the best Medicare-covered therapist that’s a good fit for you.

Checking provider directories

Before interviewing and selecting a provider, you want to make sure that they are covered by Medicare. There are few ways to do this:

• Use the Medicare.gov provider directory, which allows you to search for a Medicare provider by location and also by specialty.
• Search the provider directory provided by your Medicare plan.
• Ask your doctor for a referral to a Medicare-approved mental health provider.

Questions to ask

It’s helpful to come up with a list of several different potential providers. Most therapists will allow you to ask them a few questions before you set up your first meeting. Here are some questions you may consider asking:

• Are you licensed to practice in my state?
• What certification do you have?
• What is your experience treating mental health challenges like mine?
• What is your approach to therapy?
• Do you participate in Medicare and accept Medicare allowed amounts for payment?
• Do you have telehealth capabilities?

Crisis hotlines

Sometimes you can’t wait for a scheduled therapy session to receive care, and immediate medical care is necessary. If you or your loved one is having trouble functioning, is experiencing extreme distress, or is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, free, confidential, 24/7 help is available.

Please call or text 988, which is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This lifeline is for suicidal thoughts but also for any type of mental health or substance use crisis.

Please call 911 if you or your loved one is in urgent physical danger.

Sailor Health: Medicare-approved therapy provider

Sailor Health therapists provide mental health care to older adults. Therapists are covered by Medicare, usually at no cost to you. The care is specialized toward older adults and is provided by experienced, empathic therapists, many who are older adults themselves. You can have your Sailor Health sessions via computer, smartphone, or even landline.

Start your mental health journey today at Sailor Health. Contact us for eligibility and enrollment support.

Frequently asked questions

How many therapy sessions does Medicare cover?

There is no limit on the number of sessions that Medicare will cover, as long as your provider determines that the care continues to be medically necessary.

What mental health services are not covered?

While therapist sessions are covered by Medicare, there are certain mental health services that aren’t covered, including transportation to and from appointments, in-home care, adult day programs, massage therapy, outpatient meals, and biofeedback training.

Will Medicare cover couples or family therapy?

Yes, family or couples therapy is covered, as long as it’s primarily for the covered patient’s treatment.

References

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2. Elshaikh, U., Sheik, R., Saeed, R. K. M., Chivese, T., & Alsayed Hassan, D. (2023). Barriers and facilitators of older adults for professional mental health help-seeking: a systematic review. BMC Geriatrics, 23(1), 516. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04229-x
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