Outpatient care (Part B)
Part B covers outpatient mental health services, including:
- Individual and group therapy, and family counseling when it is part of your treatment
- Visits with psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, and, since 2024, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors
- Medication management
- Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs
- Opioid use disorder treatment
After the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, with no annual cap in Original Medicare.
Screenings and wellness
Medicare covers an annual depression screening in a primary care setting at no cost when the provider accepts assignment, and counseling for alcohol misuse. See preventive services.
Inpatient care (Part A)
| Setting | Coverage and limit |
|---|---|
| General hospital, psychiatric unit | Same Part A costs as other hospital stays ($1,736 deductible per benefit period in 2026) |
| Freestanding psychiatric hospital | Same costs, plus a 190-day lifetime limit |
Days in a general hospital do not count toward the 190-day limit.
Prescriptions
Drugs for mental health conditions are covered by Part D plans. Medicare requires plans to cover antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. Check your plan's formulary and costs. See Part D.
Telehealth
Medicare has covered mental health care by video and phone, including from home. Telehealth rules have changed several times, so confirm current requirements with your provider.