Unlike hearing aids or medical alert systems, therapy is something Medicare does cover. Part B pays for outpatient mental health care, including talk therapy with a range of licensed professionals, and many of those visits can happen by video from home. The harder part can be finding a provider who takes Medicare and has openings.
This guide explains what Medicare pays for, what you'll owe, how to find a counselor who accepts Medicare, and what to check before using an online therapy service. GMG does not provide or recommend specific therapists. This is general information to help you find care.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential and available 24/7. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
📋Quick Summary
- Medicare Part B covers a wide range of outpatient mental health services, including individual and group psychotherapy, per Medicare.gov.
- Covered providers include psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors.
- After the Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for therapy visits.
- Medicare covers outpatient psychotherapy by telehealth, and Medicare.gov says it covers telehealth services you can get from anywhere in the U.S. through December 31, 2027.
- A yearly depression screening costs nothing if your provider accepts assignment.
| Outpatient psychotherapy (Part B) | Covered; 20% after deductible |
|---|---|
| Provider types | Psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and others |
| Telehealth | Outpatient psychotherapy is a covered telehealth service |
| Depression screening | Once a year; $0 if provider accepts assignment |
| Medicare Advantage | Covered; costs and network vary by plan |
Who it is for
- Anyone on Medicare who wants outpatient talk therapy, in person or by video.
- Anyone helping a family member find a counselor.
Who should skip it
- Anyone in crisis should call or text 988 or call 911 rather than waiting for an appointment.
- Someone who needs medication management may need a psychiatrist or other prescriber, which some online services don't offer under Medicare.
- This is general information, not a recommendation for your situation.
What Medicare covers
According to Medicare.gov, Part B covers a wide range of outpatient mental health services, including individual and group psychotherapy, family counseling when the main goal is treatment, and psychiatric evaluation. The provider types Medicare lists include psychiatrists and other doctors, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors.
After you meet your Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for visits to diagnose or treat your condition. Hospital outpatient clinics may charge an additional copayment or coinsurance. Part B also covers one depression screening a year, which costs nothing if your provider accepts assignment; Medicare.gov says you must get it in a primary care doctor's office or clinic that can provide follow-up treatment and referrals.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your costs and the providers you can see depend on your plan, so check its network and copays before you book.
Therapy by video or phone
Medicare.gov lists outpatient psychotherapy among the services Medicare covers through telehealth, and says that through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth services you can get from anywhere in the U.S. It describes telehealth as using audio and video technology, or audio-only communication in some cases, through your phone or a computer. Ask your provider whether any in-person visit is required for your care, since Medicare.gov directs you to check with your provider. For background, see our coverage of Medicare's telehealth rules.
How to find a counselor who takes Medicare
Start by asking your primary care doctor for a referral. Your doctor may know local therapists who accept Medicare, and your yearly depression screening is a natural time to ask. When you call a therapist's office, ask three things: do they accept Medicare (or your Medicare Advantage plan), do they accept assignment, and do they have openings for new patients.
FindTreatment.gov, a confidential and anonymous locator run by SAMHSA, helps you find treatment facilities for mental and substance use disorders. Your state's SHIP counselors can also help you understand your plan's mental health benefits for free.
SAMHSA's National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, offers free, confidential referrals.
Online therapy services: what to check first
Some online therapy companies accept Medicare and some don't, and terms change. GMG has not used or tested these services. Before you sign up for any online service, check four things: whether it accepts Original Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan in your state, what you will pay per visit, whether the therapist is licensed in your state, and how the company handles your health information.
| Option | Accepts Original Medicare? | What you pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A local therapist who accepts Medicare | Yes, if enrolled in Medicare | 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible | Ask whether they accept assignment and offer telehealth. |
| Your Medicare Advantage plan's network | Through your plan | Varies by plan | Check your plan's directory and copays. |
| Talkspace (online) | Talkspace says its virtual therapy is covered by Medicare in some states, and that coverage may vary depending on your specific Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan | Not stated in dollar terms. Talkspace says that if its therapy is covered by your Medicare plan, you will only pay coinsurance, and that most insured members have a $0 copay | Talkspace says it accepts Medicare only for online therapy at this time, not psychiatry or medication management. Use its eligibility checker and confirm with your plan. |
Read a service's privacy policy before sharing health details. As one example, in July 2023 the FTC finalized an order requiring the online counseling service BetterHelp to pay $7.8 million, after alleging it shared consumers' email addresses, IP addresses and health questionnaire information with Facebook, Snapchat, Criteo and Pinterest for advertising after promising to keep it private. The order bans BetterHelp from sharing health data for advertising.
- Your primary care doctor: Ask for a referral, especially at your yearly depression screening.
- FindTreatment.gov: A confidential and anonymous locator run by SAMHSA for treatment facilities.
- Your Medicare Advantage plan's provider directory: Check the network and copays for mental health visits before you book.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): A free counselor can help you understand your plan's mental health benefits.
- 988 for crisis support: Call or text 988, any time. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Common questions about therapy and counseling
- Does Medicare cover therapy?
- Yes. Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health services, including individual and group psychotherapy, per Medicare.gov.
- How much does therapy cost with Medicare?
- After the Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Hospital outpatient clinics may charge an extra copayment or coinsurance.
- Does Medicare cover therapy by video?
- Medicare.gov lists outpatient psychotherapy as a covered telehealth service and says it covers telehealth services from anywhere in the U.S. through December 31, 2027.
- Which counselors can bill Medicare?
- Medicare lists psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors, among others.
- Do online therapy apps take Medicare?
- Some do and some don't, and coverage can depend on your plan and state. Check the company's terms and confirm with your plan before you start.
- What if I need help right now?
- Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
✅What This Means For You
Turning 65: Outpatient therapy is a Part B benefit. If you already see a therapist, ask now whether they accept Medicare.
Already on Medicare: Your yearly depression screening is free if your provider accepts assignment and is a good time to ask for a referral.
IRMAA-affected: Higher premiums don't change this benefit. Your share is still generally 20% after the deductible.
Medicare Advantage enrollees: Check your plan's network and copays for mental health visits before you book, including any online options it covers.
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