Research shows those who enroll in government-funded plans are more likely to have mental health needs. Thankfully, Medicare’s role in covering therapy offers a path for many people to access the critical care they need. That said, navigating Medicare’s coverage for mental health care services and its limitations can prove difficult. If you’re wondering if Medicare covers mental health, you’re in the right place.
Medicare offers various coverage options to address widespread mental health needs. While the program’s complexity can be daunting initially, getting the most out of this resource means learning what services are available and what restrictions you should be aware of as a Medicare beneficiary.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Medicare coverage for therapy and other mental health services.
Note: Medicare covers Talkspace online therapy in select states, with more states to come soon.
The short answer is yes. Medicare offers coverage for therapy and a variety of other mental health services. Depending on which part you use, some benefits of Medicare coverage include counseling or therapy, in-patient care, outpatient care, medication management, and certain preventive services.
Medicare mental health coverage is only available for those who meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify for mental health coverage under Medicare, you must meet one of the following conditions:
If you fall into one of these categories, you may be eligible for Medicare benefits for mental health services including therapy services, counseling, and psychiatric care like prescription drugs for a mental health condition.
Medicare therapy coverage and benefits will vary depending on which part of the program you’re using. “Original Medicare” — Parts A and B — is the foundation.
You can think of Medicare Part A as “hospital insurance.” It helps pay for in-patient (meaning you’re admitted to the hospital) mental healthcare and covers things like your hospital room, meals, and nursing care. It also covers related services and supplies that might be necessary during your stay.
Part A can cover mental health needs like:
Medicare Part B can be thought of as “medical insurance.” It helps pay for outpatient services related to mental health, including visits to mental health professionals like psychiatrists, doctors, clinical psychologists, or social workers. Treatments such as individual or group therapy sessions are covered under Part B.
Part B can cover mental health needs like:
Medicare Advantage Part C provides coverage on top of the benefits Parts A and B offer.
Medicare Advantage Part C can cover things like:
Medicare Part D is used to offset the costs of prescription drugs that are useful in managing mental health. For example, Part D of Medicare coverage helps you afford things like mood stabilizers and antidepressants.
While not technically part of Medicare, Medigap is sold to help supplement gaps in coverage in the Original Medicare plan. Medigap policies help with mental healthcare costs like copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance.
Medicare is a lifeline for many people seeking mental healthcare, but like most things, it does have some limitations. While it generally helps with the cost of the most common mental health treatments, not everything is paid for. Several factors are used to determine what will be covered.
While therapy is likely a benefit under your Medicare plan, there can be limitations to the number of sessions covered annually by the mental health care provider.
The type of treatment you receive is another area that can impact coverage and cost as a Medicare beneficiary. While some approaches to mental health — like holistic or experimental therapies — have gained popularity in recent years, they aren’t always covered by Medicare. You’ll likely be responsible for out-of-pocket costs if you use specific treatments.
As an example, Original Medicare therapy coverage doesn’t include the cost of pastoral counseling or hemodialysis for schizophrenia. Other areas of care Medicare doesn’t cover might include:
To fully understand what Medicare will cover, review your current plan in detail. You can do so by accessing your online account.
Log into your online Medicare account. The secure portal provides specific details about your plan and coverage. The information you find here will help you make healthcare decisions to avoid unexpected costs in the future. You’ll get a summary of your coverage and be able to add medication and pharmacies to compare costs for drugs.
If you haven’t created your account yet, the 3-step process is simple — make sure you have your Medicare card and then go to the Medicare website:
Check what’s covered under your plan’s mental health benefits. Look for the limitations of each plan type — Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, etc. — so you’re prepared for any financial responsibility. If you’re looking for guidance on how to find a therapist covered by insurance, it’s important to check with your current healthcare provider to understand which mental health professionals and services are included in your plan.
Don’t be afraid to leverage the portal’s Medicare plan finder tool. This resource helps you compare different plans and understand your coverage options thoroughly to know which option caters best to your needs and financial situation.
Medicare benefits can change. It’s vital to review essential documents like the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) you receive.
Read these documents thoroughly every year you’re enrolled in any Medicare plan. Stay informed about significant changes that may affect the type of coverage you have or what mental health services will cost you.
Navigating any insurance coverage can be a complex and confusing journey. If you’re seeking answers to specific questions, don’t hesitate to reach out directly. Preparing your questions in advance is a good idea so the process is as efficient and effective as possible.
The Medicare website has valuable resources and contact information to help you connect with a customer service representative trained to answer your questions about plan benefits. You can reach someone by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or using the site’s convenient online live chat feature. Chat is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except for certain holidays).
Finding solutions for mental health treatment that you can afford might seem overwhelming, but online therapy — like Talkspace — is an accessible, convenient, and affordable option that makes therapy readily available, regardless of financial constraints. Talkspace has partnered with most major insurance providers to ensure affordable care options outside of Medicare’s current scope are also available to members.
Talkspace online therapy accepts Medicare in specific states (with more added continually) to bridge the gap between vital mental healthcare and affordable treatment. Medicare Advantage is not covered at this time, but should be coming soon. Other options include online therapy covered by various insurance providers. Reach out today to learn more about getting mental health assistance from licensed professionals at Talkspace.
Sources:
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.
PROJECT UPDATE IMOKALEE COMPLETE STREETS TIGER GRANT DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT JUNE 2025PROJECT UPDATEThe Immokalee Complete Streets Project is finished and includes new sidewalks and drainage along miles of local streets. In addition to the sidewalks, the project included reconstruction of many existing residential driveways and improvements to the drainage swale along your property line within the Collier County Right-of-Way (ROW).We need to work together to keep these new sidewalks and drainage improvements in good condition. Please do your part to help maintain the improvements by complying with the existing codes which require property owners to assume all maintenance and repair responsibilities within the Collier County ROW. These responsibilities include mowing the grass and protecting the sidewalk and driveway from damage.We are requesting your help to maintain these improvements including: Drainage cutting the grass within the swale is very important because it will allow the drainage system to function. Picking up the litter before you mow will also keep the community clean. Pedestrian Safety do not park on the sidewalks, it is against the law and blocks the safe passage of children and adults. Heavy trucks and equipment can damage the sidewalk. The construction of sidewalks is expensive, and your help is needed to maintain them. Please remember it is illegal to park on a sidewalk. Both the Collier County Sheriffs Office and the Collier County Code Enforcement Division are monitoring to encourage voluntary compliance. Citations will be issued if the law is broken. It is the property owners responsibility to assure that all your visitors, tenants, and family members obey the law. You, as the property owner, are responsible for maintaining the driveway and ROW.If you rent your property, please inform your tenants of this information. As a landlord, you are responsible for providing your tenants with this information.We hope you enjoy the improvements along the county roadways and please continue to assist your neighbors as we work to improve the health and safety of our community.For more information about the project, please contact: CHRISTIE BETANCOURT ASSISTANT DIVISION DIRECTOR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) Email: Christie.Betancourt@colliercountyfl.gov Phone: (239) 867-0028 IMMOKALEE CRA Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency
This June during Alzheimers & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimers Association is encouraging all Americans to take charge of their brain health. Today, there are more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimers. Two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor for dementia. The brain changes that cause Alzheimers are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms start, which suggests that there may be a substantial window of time in which we can intervene in the progression of the disease. Experts believe there isnt a single cause of Alzheimers. Its likely the disease develops as a result of multiple factors. While not a direct cause of Alzheimers, the greatest known risk factor is advancing age. Although some risk factors like age cant be changed, as many as 45% of dementia cases may be attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure and lack of physical activity. Research shows that adopting healthy behaviors like getting exercise and good quality sleep can improve your brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Based on mounting scientific evidence, the Alzheimers Association encourages individuals to incorporate these 10 Healthy Habits such as challenging your mind and eating healthier foods to help protect brain health. Be Proactive in Addressing Brain Changes Only half of those with Alzheimers disease ever receive a diagnosis, delaying needed care and potentially putting them at risk. Another important way to take charge of your health is to know the early warning signs of Alzheimers and other dementia and be proactive in addressing them. Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimers is more important than ever. Early detection offers significant benefits for the person diagnosed and their loved ones, including greater access to treatment options and the ability to plan for the future. There are now treatments that can slow disease progression for people in the early stage of Alzheimers, making a timely diagnosis critically important. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory or thinking problems, its important to get it checked. Talk to your doctor so you can make an informed decision on available treatments to determine if they are right for you. Join the Fight to End Alzheimers During Alzheimers & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimers Association invites everyone to join us in the fight to end Alzheimers and all other dementia. Heres what you can do: Adopt the 10 Healthy Habits: It is never too early or too late to start taking positive actions for your brain. Visit alz.org/healthyhabits to learn more! Go purple: Throughout the month of June, go purple the color of the Alzheimers movement to raise awareness of the disease. Dress in purple and share your story on social media using the hashtag #ENDALZ. Join the fight: Advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimers Association by participating in our fundraising events Walk to End Alzheimers, The Longest Day and Ride to End ALZ. Visit alz.org/fundraisingevents. Get information and support: Access education programs and dementia care resources. Visit alz.org/educationalprograms. Volunteer with us: As an Alzheimers Association volunteer, you can help people in your community take steps to reduce their dementia risk and recognize the signs of Alzheimers. Visit alz.org/volunteer. Advocate: Raise your voice tell Congress to act today. Visit alz.org/congressconnects. Accelerate research: It takes everyone to advance Alzheimers and dementia research. Alzheimers Association TrialMatch is a free, easy-to-use service that connects individuals living with cognitive impairment, Alzheimers disease or another dementia, caregivers and healthy participants with current research studies. Visit alz.org/trialmatch. Donate: Empower people at every age and stage of life to take charge of their brain health support the Alzheimers Association! Visit alz.org/donate. We are proud to partner with the Alzheimers Association in the fight against Alzheimers and other dementia. To learn more visit alz.org/abam.
Online Mental Health TherapyMental health support from anywhere, available fast Talkspace provides mental health support privately and conveniently online. Receive live video therapy appointments from a highly qualified licensed therapist covered by your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan with little wait. Individual therapy, psychiatry, or couples counseling covered by your private insurance plan is also readily available.Talkspace provides:A private space to discuss relationships, retirement, grief, health conditions, financial concerns, life changes, and anything thats on your mindLive one-on-one therapy sessions from your computer or phoneTreatment for over 150 mental health conditions including anxiety, stress, grief, depression, OCD, BPD, and moreMessaging therapy allows you to share with your therapist 24/7 and receive feedback and advice, and is proven to be as effective as traditional therapy..Connect with a therapist within daysTalkspace will match you with a therapist who is licensed in your state and should be a good fit for your needs. Start communicating with your therapist in 1-2 days.Receive care on your scheduleTalkspace removes all the scheduling hassles so you can get mental health support anytime, anywhere. Send your therapist text, voice, or video messages through the secure Talkspace platform and hear back daily, 5 days / weekStart your care journey with Talkspace today, visit www.talkspace.com
Online Mental Health TherapyMental health support from anywhere, available fast Talkspace provides mental health support privately and conveniently online. Receive live video therapy appointments from a highly qualified licensed therapist covered by your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan with little wait. Individual therapy, psychiatry, or couples counseling covered by your private insurance plan is also readily available.Talkspace provides:A private space to discuss relationships, retirement, grief, health conditions, financial concerns, life changes, and anything thats on your mindLive one-on-one therapy sessions from your computer or phoneTreatment for over 150 mental health conditions including anxiety, stress, grief, depression, OCD, BPD, and moreMessaging therapy allows you to share with your therapist 24/7 and receive feedback and advice, and is proven to be as effective as traditional therapy..Connect with a therapist within daysTalkspace will match you with a therapist who is licensed in your state and should be a good fit for your needs. Start communicating with your therapist in 1-2 days.Receive care on your scheduleTalkspace removes all the scheduling hassles so you can get mental health support anytime, anywhere. Send your therapist text, voice, or video messages through the secure Talkspace platform and hear back daily, 5 days / weekStart your care journey with Talkspace today, visit www.talkspace.com
Online Mental Health TherapyMental health support from anywhere, available fast Talkspace provides mental health support privately and conveniently online. Receive live video therapy appointments from a highly qualified licensed therapist covered by your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan with little wait. Individual therapy, psychiatry, or couples counseling covered by your private insurance plan is also readily available.Talkspace provides:A private space to discuss relationships, retirement, grief, health conditions, financial concerns, life changes, and anything thats on your mindLive one-on-one therapy sessions from your computer or phoneTreatment for over 150 mental health conditions including anxiety, stress, grief, depression, OCD, BPD, and moreMessaging therapy allows you to share with your therapist 24/7 and receive feedback and advice, and is proven to be as effective as traditional therapy..Connect with a therapist within daysTalkspace will match you with a therapist who is licensed in your state and should be a good fit for your needs. Start communicating with your therapist in 1-2 days.Receive care on your scheduleTalkspace removes all the scheduling hassles so you can get mental health support anytime, anywhere. Send your therapist text, voice, or video messages through the secure Talkspace platform and hear back daily, 5 days / weekStart your care journey with Talkspace today, visit www.talkspace.com