Does Medicare Cover Mental Health? Therapy, Counseling & Inpatient Coverage

Medicare offers broad mental health benefits (Part A for mental health inpatient and Part B for mental health outpatient services) and most mental health medications are also covered by Medicare Part D. The new mental health benefits are a major improvement on previous Medicare benefits. On January 1, 2024, Medicare started covering services provided by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs), greatly increasing the number of providers covered. The flexibilities for the telehealth mental health services remain in effect until January 30, 2026, and will require in-person visits at regular intervals (6 months initially, then every 12 months). Most of the previous disparity between mental health and medical services has been eliminated, with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act eliminating the coverage disparity between the two. Part B will pay for therapy at the same 80/20 cost-sharing ratio as medical services after the $283 deductible, thereby eliminating the historical additional 20% cost sharing for mental healthcare services.

Medicare coverage for mental health, providers, costs and updates for 2026. This information is from Medicare.gov, CMS, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

What Medicare Part B covers for mental health

Medical services are covered under Medicare Part B and outpatient mental health services are also covered under Medicare Part B, but with the same cost sharing as medical services: 20% coinsurance after the Part B annual deductible ($283 in 2026).

Individual and group psychotherapy services are covered if provided by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), nurse practitioner with psychiatric training, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, marriage and family therapist (MFT) or mental health counselor (MHC) (attempt to provide services in 2024). Family counselling is included if it's to help treat your diagnosed mental health condition. Similar criteria may apply to couples counseling.

Medication management visits are included if your prescriber changes your mental health medications. These are not covered in addition to any medications (Part D).

An annual depression screening in a primary care doctor's office is covered without cost sharing. This is a $0 preventive service, if performed in an annual visit.

Depression is routinely screened and discussed as part of the annual wellness visit at no extra cost beyond the annual wellness visit preventive service benefit.

Medicare now covers specific safety planning for individuals who are at risk for suicide.Medicare has expanded coverage for specific safety planning for individuals at risk for suicide. This includes planned meetings for identifying warning signs, coping strategies and crisis resources.

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are intensive outpatient treatment programs that offer 20+ hours a week of mental health treatments in a hospital outpatient center. PHP can be used for heavy treatment and not require an overnight stay in the hospital. After the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the patient cost.

If you need Medicaid mental health coverage, check out our free Medicaid mental health guide. 

What Medicare Part A covers for mental health

Medicare Part A covers inpatient mental health services when you're admitted to a general hospital or psychiatric hospital for mental health treatment.

The benefit period rules for Part A cost of inpatient mental health services are the same as for other services. Once $1736 (Part A deductible), there will be no Part A daily copay for days 1-60. Days 61-90 require $434 per day. Lifetime reserve days are used for days 91-150, and will cost $868 per day. Medicare will not pay for more days of psychiatric care after day 150 of the psychiatric benefits period.

However, Medicare has a cap of 190 days for psychiatric care in a psychiatric hospital setting within a LIFETIME. The 90-day limit is not in effect for mental health admissions to general hospitals (the typical setting for inpatient psychiatric treatment). After spending 190 lifetime days in a psychiatric facility, Medicare will not cover any more psychiatric hospital stays.

In most patients this lifetime limit is not of practical concern, since most patients with mental health problems spend their time in psychiatric beds in general hospital psychiatric units, not in freestanding psychiatric hospitals.

Inpatient services under Part A include nursing and physician services (24 hours a day), psychiatric services, individual and group therapy and administration of medication, as well as a variety of therapy and services.

Marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors (since 2024)

In 2024, the Medicare program expanded to cover services provided by Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs), greatly improving access to mental health services. Prior to this change, MFTs and MHCs were unable to bill Medicare directly, thus restricting their role in Medicare patient care.

In order to enroll in Medicare, MFTs must hold a master's or a doctoral degree and be state licensed or certified as an MFT, have at least 2 years or 3,000 hours of clinical supervision after their master's or doctoral degree, and be licensed or certified an MFT in the state in which they practice.

Education requirements for MHC encompass similar education (master's or doctoral), of at least 2 years or 3,000 hours of clinical post-master's supervision in mental health counseling, and state licensure or certification as a mental health counselor.

Both MFTs and MHCs charge Medicare 75% of the amount paid to clinical psychologists. Some discussion has arisen about the adequacy of reimbursement for this lower rate, but this expansion has significantly increased provider access.

These provider types are especially useful for patients living in rural areas who may have limited access to psychiatrists and psychologists. MFTs and MHCs are frequently more readily available and have a shorter wait list than psychiatric services. 

Telehealth mental health: extended through January 30, 2026

Telehealth flexibilities for mental health services have been a critical access expansion since the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients can receive therapy and psychiatric services from their homes via secure video platforms, eliminating travel barriers.

For 2026, telehealth mental health coverage continues through January 30, 2026 under existing flexibilities. After January 30, 2026, new rules take effect requiring in-person visits at specific intervals.

After January 30, 2026, the requirements work as follows: New patients beginning telehealth mental health treatment must have an initial in-person visit within 6 months. Established patients receiving ongoing telehealth treatment must have an in-person visit every 12 months thereafter.

Importantly, patients who began telehealth services on or before January 30, 2026 are EXEMPT from the new in-person requirements for the duration of their treatment with their current provider. This grandfather provision protects continuity of care for patients already established in telehealth therapy relationships.

For patients in rural areas without nearby mental health providers, the new in-person requirements could create access barriers. Federal advocacy organizations are working to extend or modify these requirements before they take effect.

For Medicare prescription coverage including mental health medications, see our prescriptions guide.

Medicare Part D and mental health medications

Medicare Part D covers most prescription mental health medications including antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, MAOIs), antipsychotics (typical and atypical), mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine), anxiolytics (with some restrictions on long-term benzodiazepine use), and ADHD medications.

The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket maximum is $2,100, after which you pay $0 for covered drugs for the rest of the year. This cap is particularly important for patients on expensive specialty mental health medications.

Each Part D plan maintains its own formulary determining which specific medications are covered and at what tier. Some patients find their preferred medication isn't on their plan's formulary, which may require switching plans during the Annual Election Period (October 15-December 7) or working with their prescriber on alternatives.

Mental health medications subject to negotiated Medicare prices effective 2026 include several common antidepressants and antipsychotics that were included in the Inflation Reduction Act's first negotiated drug list.

For Part D coverage, see our does Medicare cover prescriptions guide.

How to access Medicare mental health care

Finding a mental health provider who accepts Medicare requires some specific steps. The Medicare.gov Care Compare tool at medicare.gov/care-compare helps find mental health providers by location and specialty. SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) provides free, confidential referrals to mental health services 24/7/365.

Your primary care doctor can typically provide referrals to mental health specialists. Many primary care doctors also handle basic depression and anxiety treatment, especially with medication management.

Medicare Advantage plans often have narrower mental health networks than Original Medicare. Verify the provider you want to see is in-network before scheduling. MA plans must cover at least equivalent to Original Medicare but may have more access restrictions.

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) accept Medicare and provide comprehensive mental health services on a sliding fee scale for those with limited income. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) include mental health services and accept Medicare.

For crisis situations, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support. Medicare covers crisis intervention services.