Medicare Coverage

Is Total Life Therapy Covered by Medicare?

Q: Does Total Life accept Original Medicare?

Yes — we bill Medicare Part B directly and accept Medicare assignment.

Q: Does Medicare limit how many sessions I can have?

No fixed limit exists for outpatient psychotherapy — sessions are covered while medically necessary.

By Total Life · July 7, 2026

Yes. Total Life is covered by Original Medicare. We bill Medicare Part B directly for outpatient therapy delivered by video or phone to your home. After your Part B deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount, and if you have Medigap, Medicaid, or other supplemental coverage, the remaining 20% is typically covered too, making sessions $0 for most members.

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Why Medicare covers Total Life's online sessions

Here's exactly how the coverage works, plan by plan.

Two Medicare rules make this possible:

Behavioral health telehealth at home is a permanent Medicare benefit. Your home is a covered location for mental health telehealth, with no geographic restrictions, and audio-only (phone) sessions are permanently covered when video isn't possible or preferred (Telehealth.HHS.gov).
No in-person visit is required first. Under current CMS guidance, the statutory in-person visit requirement for tele-mental health is not in effect through December 31, 2027, and members who begin teletherapy before then are treated as established patients (CMS Telehealth FAQ, Feb 2026).

Total Life's clinicians, clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors, are all Medicare-enrolled provider types, and we accept Medicare assignment, meaning we accept Medicare's approved amount as payment in full. You will never be balance-billed beyond your standard coinsurance.

What you'll pay, by coverage type

Your coverage	Your typical cost per session
Original Medicare only	20% of the Medicare-approved amount, after the annual Part B deductible
Original Medicare + Medigap	Usually $0, most Medigap plans cover the 20% coinsurance
Original Medicare + Medicaid (dual eligible)	Usually $0
Original Medicare + retiree/secondary insurance	Often $0, depends on your plan
Medicare Advantage	Plan copay applies; coverage and network vary, we check your specific plan

We verify before you book. Have your Medicare card ready when you call; our team confirms your benefits and quotes your exact per-session cost up front. No estimates, no surprise bills.

What services are covered

Through Medicare Part B, Total Life provides:

Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation, your initial assessment
Individual psychotherapy, including CBT, problem-solving therapy, and grief-focused approaches with strong evidence in older adults
Family counseling, when its primary purpose is supporting your treatment
Ongoing symptom measurement (PHQ-9, GAD-7) built into care

Medicare sets no fixed limit on the number of outpatient psychotherapy sessions, care continues as long as it's medically necessary.

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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What about Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage plans must cover at least everything Original Medicare covers, including tele-mental health, but networks, copays, and referral rules vary by plan. When you call, we check whether Total Life is available under your specific plan and what your copay would be. If your plan requires a referral or prior authorization, we'll tell you exactly what's needed.

The bottom line on cost

For the majority of Total Life members, those with Original Medicare plus supplemental coverage, therapy costs $0 out of pocket. For everyone else, you'll know your exact number before your first session. Compare that with self-pay therapy apps at $260, $400+ per month, or private-pay sessions commonly $100, $200 each, and the math is simple: you've already paid for this benefit through Medicare. Use it.

Ready to talk to someone?

Total Life is the largest Medicare-covered online therapy practice for seniors, available nationwide. Most members pay $0 out of pocket.

Book a free consultation

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Does Total Life accept Original Medicare? +

Yes, we bill Medicare Part B directly and accept Medicare assignment.

Is Total Life really $0? +

For most members with Medigap or Medicaid alongside Medicare, yes, supplemental coverage typically pays the 20% coinsurance. We confirm your exact cost before you book.

Does Total Life take Medicare Advantage? +

It depends on your plan. Call us with your card and we'll check your plan's coverage, network, and copay.

Does Medicare limit how many sessions I can have? +

No fixed limit exists for outpatient psychotherapy, sessions are covered while medically necessary.

Is phone-only therapy covered the same as video? +

Yes. Medicare permanently covers audio-only behavioral health sessions at home when video isn't workable or preferred.

Do I need to see a doctor in person first? +

No. Under current CMS guidance, no in-person visit is required to begin tele-mental health through at least December 31, 2027.

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.