Key Takeaways

• Medicare covers a broad range of mental health services in 2025, including therapy, screenings, medication management, and telehealth, but you need to use the right part of your coverage to access them fully.

• Knowing the difference between Part A, Part B, and Part D in relation to mental health can help you avoid unnecessary costs and delays in care.

Medicare and Mental Health: A Growing Connection

Mental health is no longer treated as an afterthought in Medicare. For years, beneficiaries faced barriers when trying to access therapy, psychiatric care, or medication. But in 2025, Medicare has expanded its mental health offerings to reflect the growing understanding that mental well-being is central to overall health.

If you have a Medicare card, you already hold the potential to access crucial mental health care. The key is understanding how and when to use your benefits correctly.

What Medicare Covers for Mental Health in 2025

Medicare covers mental health services under three main parts:

Inpatient Psychiatric Care: Medicare Part A

Part A covers inpatient mental health treatment if you are admitted to a hospital or a psychiatric facility. Here are the essential details:

• Inpatient psychiatric care is covered for up to 190 days in a lifetime if received in a standalone psychiatric hospital.

• If care is provided in a general hospital, the 190-day limit does not apply.

• You are responsible for the $1,676 deductible per benefit period in 2025, plus daily coinsurance starting on day 61.

Outpatient Mental Health Services: Medicare Part B

Part B is where most mental health services happen. It covers medically necessary outpatient treatment, including:

• Psychiatric evaluations and diagnostic tests

• Individual and group therapy

• Medication management by a psychiatrist or other qualified provider

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)

• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)

• Screenings for depression and substance use

• Care from clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and, since 2024, marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs)

Costs under Part B in 2025 include:

• Annual deductible of $257

• 20% coinsurance after deductible is met, for most covered services

Prescription Medications: Medicare Part D

Medications used to manage mental health conditions are generally covered under Part D. This includes antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.

For 2025:

• The maximum Part D deductible is $590

• Once your total out-of-pocket spending hits $2,000, catastrophic coverage begins, and you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the year

It’s important to ensure that your Part D plan covers your specific medications, or you could face high out-of-pocket costs.

Using Your Medicare Card Effectively for Mental Health

Your Medicare card isn’t just a form of identification. It determines how care is billed and which services you can access. Here’s how to use it correctly:

Understand What Each Part Covers

Many beneficiaries mistakenly believe that their Medicare card covers everything under one umbrella. But if you try to use Part B for a prescription or Part D for therapy, you’ll run into problems.

• Use Part A for inpatient psychiatric care in a hospital.

• Use Part B for outpatient therapy, evaluations, and day programs.

• Use Part D for prescription medications.

Always present your Medicare card (and any Part D plan card, if applicable) at every appointment or pharmacy visit.

Confirm That Providers Accept Medicare

Medicare covers mental health only if the provider accepts Medicare assignment. That means:

• The provider agrees to accept Medicare’s approved amount as full payment.

• You’ll avoid balance billing and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

In 2025, finding a Medicare-participating mental health provider is easier than before, but shortages still exist in some areas, especially rural ones. You can search the official Medicare provider directory or call a licensed agent listed on this website for help.

Coordinate With Supplemental Coverage If You Have It

If you have a Medigap policy or retiree insurance, it may cover your Part A and Part B cost-sharing. This can be especially helpful when you need multiple therapy sessions, expensive medications, or extended psychiatric care.

Be sure to inform your mental health provider of any supplemental plan, so they can bill properly and minimize billing issues.

Telehealth: A Major Opportunity for 2025

Telehealth continues to play a significant role in Medicare-covered mental health services. In 2025:

• You can receive mental health therapy via video or audio-only (phone) visits

• You must have one in-person, non-emergency visit every 12 months to keep using telehealth for mental health, starting October 1, 2025

This rule applies unless you qualify for an exception due to hardship or geographical constraints. Telehealth can be especially beneficial if you live in an area with few in-person providers or have transportation challenges.

Remember to use your Medicare Part B coverage for these visits. Telehealth therapy sessions are billed the same as in-office visits.

Screenings and Preventive Services You Should Know About

Medicare Part B covers several mental health-related preventive services that cost you nothing out of pocket if performed by a participating provider:

• Annual depression screening (once per year)

• Alcohol misuse screening and counseling (for those who screen positive)

• Opioid use disorder screening and referral

• Cognitive assessment for early detection of dementia-related issues

Taking advantage of these services can help you or your loved one catch mental health concerns before they worsen.

Who Can Provide Mental Health Services Under Medicare in 2025?

Medicare covers services provided by the following licensed professionals:

• Psychiatrists (MDs or DOs)

• Clinical psychologists (PhD or PsyD)

• Clinical social workers (LCSWs)

• Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) specializing in mental health

• Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) as of 2024

These providers must be enrolled in Medicare and eligible to bill for covered services. Not all therapists are Medicare-approved, so it’s critical to confirm before starting care.

Access Barriers and What You Can Do

Despite improvements, access to mental health care in Medicare still comes with challenges:

• Provider shortages in some counties mean long wait times

• Lack of awareness among beneficiaries about what Medicare covers

• Prior authorization or limits in certain Medicare Advantage plans

To overcome these issues:

• Use telehealth when possible to expand your options

• Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to Medicare-approved providers

• Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) if you have a Medicare Advantage plan to understand coverage specifics

• Call a licensed agent listed on this website for help reviewing your plan and options

How to Begin Mental Health Care Using Medicare

Here are the steps to take if you want to use your Medicare benefits for mental health in 2025:

1. Schedule a screening or wellness visit under Part B with your primary care doctor

2. Ask for a mental health referral if symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other conditions arise

3. Check that the provider accepts Medicare and whether your supplemental plan will cover extra costs

4. Present your Medicare card and (if applicable) your Part D card at each visit

5. Track your therapy sessions, medications, and deductibles so you know when you hit spending limits

6. Use telehealth for convenience and to expand access if in-person care is limited

Medicare Can Be a Lifeline—If You Let It Work for You

Your Medicare card opens doors to mental health care, but those doors only stay open if you use your benefits wisely. Understanding what parts of Medicare cover which services, keeping track of deductibles and coinsurance, and ensuring your providers are Medicare-approved can make all the difference.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health in 2025, you don’t have to wait. Help is available, and your Medicare coverage includes more mental health support than ever before.

Take the first step today by connecting with a licensed agent listed on this website who can help you review your plan, find qualified providers, and get the care you need.