Medicare Increases Coverage of Mental Health Services
Medicare has increased the amount of mental health coverage beneficiaries are entitled to. After years of unequal treatment,...
Read moreSome aspects of aging can take a mental toll on the elderly as well as a physical toll. The cost of outpatient mental health services can be steep, but Medicare will cover a portion of the cost.
After you pay your deductible, Original Medicare will pay 80 percent of the cost for outpatient visits to mental health professionals. If you have a Medigap policy, it may cover the additional 20 percent.
Local Elder Law Attorneys in Your City
The following are some of the services that Medicare covers:
Services must be provided by doctors, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. Medicare will pay for services only if they are provided by a mental health professional who accepts Medicare payments, so check with your health professional before you receive services.
Medicare also covers inpatient care at a general or psychiatric hospital. For information on Medicare's hospital coverage, click here. Unlike with non-mental health services, Medicare puts a cap on coverage for inpatient psychiatric care. Medicare only pays for up to 190 days of inpatient psychatric hospital services in a lifetime.
If you have Medicare Advantage, coverage rules may be different, so check with your plan before receiving services.
For the booklet Medicare and Your Mental Health Benefits from Medicare.gov, click here.
Medicare has increased the amount of mental health coverage beneficiaries are entitled to. After years of unequal treatment,...
Read moreIn a major change in Medicare coverage rules, the Obama administration has agreed to end Medicare’s longstanding practi...
Read moreMany people believe that Medicare covers nursing home stays. In fact Medicare's coverage of nursing home care is quite limite...
Read moreMedicaid Rules, etc