Mental health matters, and Medicare provides coverage for therapy, medications, and preventive services to help beneficiaries manage conditions like depression and anxiety.
Medicare Part A: Inpatient Mental Health Care
Part A covers inpatient treatment in hospitals and psychiatric facilities. Key points:
- Covers room, nursing care, therapy, tests, and medications during an inpatient stay.
- Lifetime limit of 190 days in a psychiatric hospital, but no limit in general hospitals.
- 2025 costs: $1,676 deductible per benefit period, $419/day coinsurance for days 61–90, $838/day for lifetime reserve days.
Medigap plans can cover some or all of these costs, including the Part A deductible.
Medicare Part B: Outpatient Mental Health Services
Part B helps with ongoing therapy and outpatient care, including:
- Individual and group counseling
- Annual depression and alcohol misuse screenings
- Psychiatric evaluations and lab tests
- Visits with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and licensed counselors
2025 costs: $257 annual deductible, then 20% coinsurance per service. Medigap can help cover these copays.
Medicare Part D: Mental Health Medications
All Part D drug plans cover FDA-approved antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety drugs, and mood stabilizers, including generics. Copays depend on the plan’s drug formulary and tier system. Learn more about drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans include the same mental health coverage as Parts A and B, usually with bundled drug coverage. Some plans add extra benefits like vision or dental. Remember: you cannot have both Medicare Advantage and Medigap at the same time.
How Medigap Helps
Medigap can protect you from the high out-of-pocket costs of mental health treatment. Plans typically cover:
- Part A deductibles and inpatient coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance for therapy visits
- Extra hospital coverage beyond lifetime reserve days
With Medigap, your mental health care becomes more predictable, allowing you to focus on recovery instead of bills. Compare Medigap plans to see whic