Key Takeaways

• In 2025, Medicare now includes expanded mental health services, such as marriage and family therapy, crisis intervention, and services from more provider types.

• You may now access a wider range of mental health care without needing to rely only on psychiatrists or psychologists.

A Bigger Mental Health Net Under Medicare

Medicare has traditionally focused on physical health services, but as of 2025, mental health has finally become a core part of its benefits. This shift means more conditions are recognized, more providers are covered, and more services are accessible than ever before.

If you’ve avoided care in the past because you weren’t sure it was covered or worried about out-of-pocket costs, it may be time to reconsider.

What Medicare Now Recognizes as Mental Health Care

Medicare now includes a broad range of services under its mental health umbrella:

• Outpatient mental health services like talk therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management

• Inpatient psychiatric care in both general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals (up to 190 days in a lifetime for freestanding psychiatric facilities)

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) that allow structured treatment without overnight stays

• Substance use disorder treatment including counseling and medications

• Preventive screenings for depression and substance misuse

• Crisis response services through new mobile crisis intervention teams

• Family and marriage counseling provided by licensed therapists who are now covered under Medicare

This expansion reflects a major policy acknowledgment: mental health is just as important as physical health, especially in aging populations.

New Providers You Can Now See

One of the biggest updates is who you can go to for mental health care. Medicare now covers services provided by:

• Marriage and family therapists (MFTs)

• Mental health counselors (MHCs), including licensed professional counselors (LPCs)

• Clinical social workers (CSWs)

• Psychologists and psychiatrists

• Primary care providers offering behavioral health integration services

This makes access much easier, especially if you’re in an area with limited psychiatrist availability. Previously, many of these providers weren’t reimbursed under Medicare, leaving beneficiaries with few options.

How Telehealth Continues to Help

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare loosened restrictions on telehealth. While some temporary rules expired, many of the mental health telehealth options are now permanent or extended through at least 2025.

Here’s what remains in place:

• Telehealth for mental health visits is still covered if you’ve had an in-person visit within the past 6 months (some exceptions apply)

• Audio-only visits are allowed for mental health care, especially important for those without video access

• Tele-mental health with clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and other licensed professionals is available

These changes have made it possible to continue receiving therapy or counseling even if you can’t physically travel to a provider’s office.

Coverage Through Different Medicare Parts

Understanding where your mental health coverage falls depends on which part of Medicare you’re using:

Medicare Part A

Covers:

• Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization (up to 190 days lifetime in a psychiatric hospital)

• Hospital stays where mental health is the primary reason for admission

Medicare Part B

Covers:

• Outpatient therapy and counseling

• Medication management visits

• Diagnostic evaluations

• Partial hospitalization programs (with conditions)

• Telehealth services

You typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most outpatient services after meeting the annual Part B deductible, which is $257 in 2025.

Medicare Part D

Covers:

• Medications used to treat mental health conditions like antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medications

• In 2025, the annual out-of-pocket cap on prescription drugs is $2,000, reducing the burden of high-cost medications

What Counts as Preventive Mental Health Care

Medicare now gives stronger attention to preventive services that catch mental health conditions early. Covered preventive care includes:

• Annual depression screening done in a primary care setting

• Substance use assessments during routine visits

• Screenings during your Annual Wellness Visit

These screenings are fully covered if your provider accepts Medicare assignment. They’re designed to flag early signs of depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders.

Addressing Substance Use Disorders

A major shift in 2025 is the way Medicare approaches addiction. Substance use disorder (SUD) is now recognized as a chronic condition deserving comprehensive care.

Covered services include:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) such as buprenorphine and naltrexone

• Therapy and behavioral interventions for alcohol and drug misuse

• Structured outpatient programs and PHPs

There is no longer a cap on the number of sessions or duration as long as treatment is deemed medically necessary.

Crisis Care—A New Layer of Support

In 2025, Medicare has rolled out expanded access to mental health crisis care, including mobile teams and stabilization services. This means:

• If you’re in a mental health crisis, you may qualify for immediate intervention through a mobile crisis team

• Some of these services don’t require a prior diagnosis

• You don’t necessarily have to be hospitalized to get help quickly

This addition reflects growing awareness of the urgent need for rapid, community-based mental health intervention.

Accessing Services in Rural or Underserved Areas

Access to mental health care in rural communities has long been a challenge. Medicare’s changes in 2025 include:

• Continued support for telehealth in rural areas, without geographic restrictions

• Expanded provider eligibility, so rural areas can utilize licensed therapists and counselors

• Encouragement of integrated behavioral care in primary care clinics

If you’re in a rural region, you may now have mental health options that simply didn’t exist before.

What You’ll Pay and What’s Free

While Medicare covers a wide range of mental health services, costs can still apply. Here’s what you should expect:

• Inpatient psychiatric hospital care: You’ll pay the same cost structure as hospital stays under Part A, including the deductible of $1,676 per benefit period in 2025.

• Outpatient therapy: After the Part B deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the approved amount.

• Telehealth: These services are billed the same as in-person visits.

• Preventive screenings: Covered at no cost to you if your provider accepts assignment.

You may reduce your out-of-pocket costs by combining your Medicare coverage with other benefits, such as Medicaid, retiree benefits, or additional supplemental insurance.

What’s Still Not Covered

Despite these improvements, some services are still not included in traditional Medicare coverage:

• Custodial care for individuals with long-term mental health needs

• Long-term residential programs not tied to medical necessity

• Alternative therapies such as Reiki or non-clinical counseling not provided by licensed professionals

Always check that the provider is Medicare-approved before starting treatment, and confirm that the services meet medical necessity requirements.

Why These Updates Matter in 2025

With older adults facing increased risks of depression, cognitive decline, and social isolation, expanding access to mental health care is more than a policy shift—it’s a health necessity. These changes:

• Reduce stigma by treating mental and physical health equally

• Improve access by including more providers

• Offer faster help through mobile and crisis services

• Increase coverage for addiction care and telehealth support

As of 2025, you’re no longer limited to just seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist. You can seek help from a wide network of licensed professionals across various care settings.

Better Access Starts with the Right Support

You have more mental health options than ever, but understanding how to use your Medicare coverage can still be complicated. Your needs, your plan, and your location all affect what’s available and what you’ll pay.

If you’re unsure about what’s covered or how to start, consider speaking to a licensed agent listed on this website. They can help you understand your coverage, explore supplemental options, and make the most of your mental health benefits.