Does Medicare Cover Mental Health and Therapy? Complete 2026 Guide

Yes — Medicare covers mental health services under Part B (outpatient medical insurance). Understanding exactly what is covered, what you pay and how to find providers helps you access the care you need.

What Medicare Part B Covers for Mental Health

Medicare Part B covers:

• Outpatient individual and group therapy
• Psychiatric evaluation
• Medication management with a psychiatrist or other provider
• Mental health crisis services
• Alcohol and drug abuse counselling
• Telehealth mental health services

What You Pay for Mental Health Under Medicare Part B

After the Part B deductible ($240 in 2025):

• You pay 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount
• Medicare pays the remaining 80%

If you have a Medicare supplement (Medigap) policy, it may cover your 20% coinsurance — meaning therapy costs you little or nothing.

If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), your plan covers mental health services but costs and network rules differ — check your plan’s specific benefits.

Types of Mental Health Providers Medicare Covers

Medicare covers services from:

• Psychiatrists (MDs) — covered under Part B as physician services
• Psychologists — covered under Part B
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) — covered under Part B
• Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) — covered since 2024 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act

The addition of LPCs and LMFTs dramatically expanded the pool of Medicare-accepting therapists available to beneficiaries.

Finding Medicare-Accepting Mental Health Providers

Use Medicare’s provider finder at medicare.gov/care-compare to search for mental health providers who accept Medicare in your area. Always call to verify current acceptance of Medicare and new patient availability.

Medicare Advantage and Mental Health

Medicare Advantage plans must cover everything Original Medicare covers — including mental health. However, Advantage plans use networks and may have different cost-sharing structures. Your therapy copay under a Medicare Advantage plan may be $0 to $50 depending on your plan.

Check your specific Medicare Advantage plan’s mental health benefits carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover inpatient psychiatric hospitalisation?
Yes — inpatient psychiatric care is covered under Medicare Part A. Coverage rules are similar to regular hospital stays, including deductibles and coinsurance. There is a 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric facility care.

Does Medicare cover online therapy?
Yes — Medicare expanded telehealth coverage significantly and now covers mental health telehealth services permanently, including audio-only services for patients without video capability.

Medical Disclaimer: Information on TherapyInsuranceGuide.com is for educational purposes only. Medicare benefits and costs change annually — always verify current benefits at medicare.gov.