Medicare Coverage

Can I Get Free Therapy With Medicare and Supplemental Insurance? How $0 Works

Q: Is online therapy also free with a supplement?

Yes — telehealth behavioral health sessions are paid by Medicare the same as office visits, so the same $0 math applies.

Q: What if I only have Medicare Advantage?

Your plan's copay applies instead of the 80/20 split — some plans have $0 behavioral health copays. Check your specific plan.

By Total Life · July 7, 2026

Yes, with Original Medicare plus supplemental insurance, therapy is often completely free at the point of care. Medicare Part B pays 80% of the approved amount after your deductible, and most Medigap plans (or Medicaid, for dual eligibles) pay the remaining 20%, leaving you with $0 per session for medically necessary psychotherapy.

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The $0 equation, step by step

You've been paying into this benefit your whole working life. Here's how to actually use it without spending a dollar more.

Medicare Part B covers outpatient therapy, individual psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations, group and family therapy, including telehealth sessions delivered to your home by video or phone, permanently (Telehealth.HHS.gov).
After your Part B deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount for each session.
Your supplement pays the rest. Most Medigap plans cover the Part B coinsurance in full. Medicaid does the same for dual-eligible beneficiaries. Many retiree and secondary plans do too.
The provider accepts Medicare assignment, meaning they take Medicare's approved amount as payment in full, no balance billing.

When all four line up: $0 per session, week after week, with no session cap, Medicare covers psychotherapy as long as it's medically necessary.

What's free for everyone on Medicare, no supplement needed

Annual depression screening: one per year, fully covered, no deductible or coinsurance, in a primary care setting.
"Welcome to Medicare" visit and Annual Wellness Visits: include a review of your depression risk and mental health, at no cost.

These free screenings matter more than most families realize: depression affects roughly 1 in 16 older adults at any given time, yet in one national study about 78% of those with depression were receiving no treatment (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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Which supplements typically get you to $0?

Medigap Plan G and Plan F: cover the 20% Part B coinsurance in full (Plan F also covers the deductible for those who enrolled when eligible).
Other Medigap plans: most cover the coinsurance fully; a few cover a percentage, check your plan letter.
Medicaid (dual eligible): typically covers Medicare cost-sharing entirely.
Medicare Advantage: a different structure, instead of the 80/20 split, you pay your plan's copay, which may be $0 or a modest amount depending on the plan.

How to claim your $0 therapy in one step

The single most reliable move: use a practice that verifies your full coverage, Medicare and your supplement, before your first appointment. Total Life does this as standard for every new member: you share your Medicare information, our team confirms your benefits, and you get your exact cost (for most members, $0) before anything is scheduled. Sessions then happen from home, by video or phone, with therapists who specialize in older adults. Check your coverage at totallife.com.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is therapy really free with Medicare and a supplement? +

For most people with Medigap or Medicaid alongside Original Medicare, yes, the supplement pays the 20% coinsurance, making medically necessary sessions $0 after the deductible.

Does Medigap cover mental health the same as physical health? +

Yes. Medigap plans pay their share of any Part B service, and Medicare covers outpatient mental health under Part B like other outpatient care.

Is online therapy also free with a supplement? +

Yes, telehealth behavioral health sessions are paid by Medicare the same as office visits, so the same $0 math applies.

What's free with Medicare alone, without a supplement? +

An annual depression screening and the mental health review in your Annual Wellness Visit, both fully covered.

How many free sessions can I have? +

There's no fixed cap. Medicare covers outpatient psychotherapy as long as it's medically necessary.

What if I only have Medicare Advantage? +

Your plan's copay applies instead of the 80/20 split, some plans have $0 behavioral health copays. Check your specific 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.