Medicare Coverage

Does Medicare Pay for Therapy? Costs, Copays, and the 20% Explained

Q: Does Medicare pay for online therapy?

Yes — behavioral health telehealth at your home, by video or phone, is a permanent Part B benefit paid the same way as office visits.

Q: Is any mental health care free with Medicare?

Yes — one depression screening per year, plus the mental health review included in your Annual Wellness Visit, are covered at no cost.

Q: Do Medicare Advantage plans pay for therapy?

Yes — they must cover at least what Original Medicare covers, though copays, networks, and referral rules vary by plan.

By Total Life · July 7, 2026

Yes, Medicare pays for therapy. Medicare Part B covers outpatient psychotherapy with a licensed mental health professional, paying 80% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet your annual Part B deductible. You're responsible for the remaining 20%, which Medigap, Medicaid, or other supplemental coverage typically pays, bringing many people to $0 per session.

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What part of Medicare pays for therapy?

Here's exactly how the math works, and how to avoid paying more than you should.

Part B, the same part that covers doctor visits. It pays for individual psychotherapy, group therapy, psychiatric evaluations, family counseling (when the main purpose is your treatment), and medication management, whether delivered in an office or by telehealth to your home. Behavioral health telehealth at home is a permanent Medicare benefit, by video or phone (Telehealth.HHS.gov).

Part A covers inpatient psychiatric care if you're hospitalized, and Part D covers mental health medications.

What will therapy actually cost me?

Three numbers determine your cost:

The Part B deductible. You pay 100% of costs until you meet your annual deductible, which most people meet quickly through regular medical care.
The 20% coinsurance. After the deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount for each session; you owe 20%.
Your supplemental coverage. This is where costs often disappear:

Your coverage	Typical cost per session
Original Medicare only	20% of the approved amount
Medicare + Medigap	Usually $0
Medicare + Medicaid	Usually $0
Medicare + retiree/secondary plan	Often $0
Medicare Advantage	Your plan's copay

One free benefit most people never use

Medicare covers a depression screening once per year at no cost, no deductible, no coinsurance, when performed in a primary care setting. It takes minutes, and it matters: most older adults with depression are never diagnosed, and in one national study, roughly 78% of older adults with depression were receiving no treatment (LongROAD study, PMC).

Most Total Life patients pay $0 out of pocket.

Covered by Medicare. Licensed therapists who specialize in adults 65+. Matched within 48 hours.

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How to make sure you're not overcharged

See providers who accept Medicare assignment. Assignment means they accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment, you can't be billed beyond your deductible and 20%.
Confirm the provider is Medicare-enrolled. Psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and, since 2024, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors can all bill Medicare.
Get your cost quoted before your first session. A practice that bills Medicare every day can verify your benefits, including supplemental coverage, in minutes.

Total Life does all three as standard: every therapist accepts Medicare assignment, and your exact cost is confirmed before you book, most members pay $0. Get started at totallife.com.

Does Medicare limit how many sessions it pays for?

No. There is no fixed annual cap on outpatient psychotherapy, Medicare pays for sessions as long as they are medically necessary. Weekly therapy for months is routinely covered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare pay for therapy for anxiety and depression? +

Yes. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary psychotherapy for diagnosed conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and prolonged grief.

How much does Medicare pay per therapy session? +

Medicare pays 80% of its approved amount after the Part B deductible; you or your supplemental plan pays the remaining 20%.

Does Medicare pay for online therapy? +

Yes, behavioral health telehealth at your home, by video or phone, is a permanent Part B benefit paid the same way as office visits.

Does Medicare pay for a psychiatrist? +

Yes. Part B covers psychiatric evaluations and medication management with a Medicare-enrolled psychiatrist.

Is any mental health care free with Medicare? +

Yes, one depression screening per year, plus the mental health review included in your Annual Wellness Visit, are covered at no cost.

Do Medicare Advantage plans pay for therapy? +

Yes, they must cover at least what Original Medicare covers, though copays, networks, and referral rules vary by plan.

This article is educational and not a substitute for professional care. If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), it's free, confidential, and available 24/7. This is a sensitive topic; if you're personally struggling, help is available and treatment works.