Does Medicare Cover Mental Health Care? (2026)

What Part B Covers for Outpatient Mental Health

Part B covers a broad range of outpatient mental health services. There is no annual limit on the number of therapy sessions as long as they are medically necessary. After you meet the $283 Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for each covered service.

For a therapy session billed at a Medicare-approved rate of approximately $130 to $170, that 20% means you typically pay $26 to $34 per session after the deductible. If you have a Medigap plan, it covers that 20% coinsurance, making outpatient mental health visits essentially free beyond the monthly premium.

• Individual and group psychotherapy
• Psychiatric evaluation and diagnostic testing
• Medication management visits
• Annual depression screening (free preventive service, no cost-sharing)
• Alcohol misuse screening and counseling (free preventive service)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP) services added January 2024
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP) at a hospital or community mental health center

Covered Mental Health Providers in 2026

The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (CAA 2023) expanded the list of Medicare-covered mental health providers effective January 1, 2024. Two new provider types were added: licensed marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs). This was a major change because these providers make up a large share of the nation's therapy workforce.

All covered mental health providers must be Medicare-enrolled and accept Medicare assignment. Ask a potential therapist directly whether they accept Medicare before scheduling.

• Psychiatrists (bill as physicians)
• Clinical psychologists
• Clinical social workers
• Licensed marriage and family therapists (added January 2024)
• Licensed mental health counselors (added January 2024)
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants with mental health training

Telehealth Mental Health Coverage Through 2027

Congress extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027 via the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026 (signed February 3, 2026). For mental health services specifically, this means you can receive therapy and psychiatric care via video or audio-only phone from your home with no geographic restrictions and no required prior in-person visit.

Audio-only phone visits (without video) are covered for mental health when the beneficiary cannot use or does not consent to video. The cost-sharing is identical to in-person visits: 20% after the $283 deductible.

Part A: Inpatient Psychiatric Care

Medicare Part A covers inpatient psychiatric care, but the rules differ based on where you receive treatment. At a freestanding psychiatric hospital, you face a 190-day lifetime limit on covered days. At a general hospital (including psychiatric units within a general hospital), there is no 190-day lifetime limit, and the standard Part A benefit period rules apply.

In 2026, the deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. Medicare covers all covered hospital costs for days 1 through 60, then you pay $434 per day for days 61 through 90. Days beyond 90 draw from your 60 lifetime reserve days, costing $868 per day. After those reserve days are exhausted, you pay the full cost.

Part D: Psychotropic Medications

Medicare Part D plans must include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants (including mood stabilizers) on their formularies. This is one of six protected drug classes under Part D, meaning these medications receive stronger formulary protections than most other drugs.

In 2026, the Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100. Once you reach that cap, Medicare covers 100% of your covered drug costs for the rest of the year. Low-income beneficiaries who qualify for Extra Help (the Part D subsidy program) pay significantly reduced copays for psychotropic medications.

Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries: Maximum Mental Health Coverage

About 12 million Americans qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. For those beneficiaries, Medicaid typically covers most or all of the cost-sharing that Medicare does not pay. That means outpatient therapy visits, inpatient psychiatric stays, and psychotropic medications can be at zero or near-zero out-of-pocket cost for dual-eligible individuals.

Many dual-eligible beneficiaries are enrolled in Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), a type of Medicare Advantage plan specifically designed to coordinate Medicare and Medicaid benefits. D-SNPs often include additional mental health care management, case management, and care coordination services at no additional cost.

Does Medicare cover therapy sessions in 2026?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers individual and group psychotherapy sessions with no annual limit, as long as services are medically necessary. After meeting the $283 Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. For a typical therapy session, that is roughly $26 to $45 out of pocket. Medigap plans cover that 20%, making therapy essentially free beyond your premium.

Does Medicare cover telehealth therapy in 2026?

Yes. Congress extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027. You can receive mental health therapy via video or audio-only phone from your home with no geographic restrictions. There is no required prior in-person visit through 2027. Cost-sharing is the same as for in-person visits: 20% after the $283 deductible.

What mental health providers does Medicare cover in 2026?

Medicare Part B covers services from psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed mental health counselors. Marriage and family therapists and licensed mental health counselors were added as covered providers in January 2024 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023. All providers must be enrolled in Medicare and accept assignment.

Does Medicare cover inpatient psychiatric care?

Yes. Medicare Part A covers inpatient psychiatric care. At a freestanding psychiatric hospital, coverage is limited to 190 days per lifetime. At a general hospital (including a hospital with a psychiatric unit), there is no 190-day lifetime limit, and standard Part A benefit period rules apply. The 2026 Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period.

Does Medicare cover antidepressants and psychiatric medications?

Yes. Medicare Part D plans must cover antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers as protected drug classes. The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100. Once you hit that cap, Medicare covers 100% of your covered drug costs. Low-income beneficiaries with Extra Help pay sharply reduced copays for these medications.

Does Medicare cover substance use disorder treatment?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers outpatient substance use disorder counseling, opioid treatment programs (OTPs), and alcohol misuse screening and counseling (free preventive service). Part A covers inpatient substance use treatment when medically necessary. Medicare Advantage plans often include expanded substance use treatment services.

Does Medicare cover intensive outpatient programs for mental health?

Yes, starting January 1, 2024. Medicare Part B covers intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for mental health when a physician confirms the need. IOP provides at least 9 hours of structured therapy per week and is less intensive than partial hospitalization, which requires 20 or more hours. Standard Part B cost-sharing applies: 20% after the $283 deductible.

Can dual-eligible beneficiaries get free mental health care?

Typically yes. If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid usually covers the 20% coinsurance and other cost-sharing that Medicare does not pay. That can make outpatient therapy, inpatient psychiatric stays, and psychotropic medications zero or near-zero cost. About 12 million Americans are dual-eligible. Use the screener at CoveredUSA to check whether you qualify.