Outpatient care under Part B
Medicare.gov lists these outpatient mental health services:
- Individual and group psychotherapy, and family counseling when it's part of your treatment.
- Psychiatric evaluation, medication management and diagnostic tests.
- One depression screening a year in a primary care setting, and a depression risk review at your "Welcome to Medicare" and yearly wellness visits.
- Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.
- Treatment for substance use disorders, safety planning if you're at risk of suicide or overdose, and a follow-up call after an emergency department visit for a behavioral health crisis.
Covered providers include psychiatrists and other doctors, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors.
What you pay
| Service | Original Medicare, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Yearly depression screening | $0 if the provider accepts assignment |
| Therapy and psychiatric visits | 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible |
| Inpatient psychiatric stay | Part A deductible of $1,736 per benefit period, then daily coinsurance after day 60 |
Hospital outpatient departments may add a copayment. Ohio's balance-billing law (Ohio Revised Code 4769.01 and 4769.02) lists Ohio-licensed psychologists, counselors, social workers and physicians among the practitioners who can't charge a Medicare patient more than Medicare's rate for a covered service. Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services but use their own networks and costs.
Telehealth
Medicare covers therapy and depression screening by telehealth. For mental health care, telehealth from home is a permanent Medicare benefit. Medicare.gov says other telehealth services from anywhere in the U.S., including your home, are covered through December 31, 2027. That helps in rural counties where the nearest therapist may be an hour away. See does Medicare cover telehealth in rural Ohio.
Help in Ohio
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, any time.
- Your local ADAMH board: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 340 sets up county and joint-county alcohol, drug addiction and mental health services (ADAMH) boards, which plan and fund local community mental health and addiction services. The state agency is the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health.
- Ohio Medicaid: if you also have Ohio Medicaid, it covers behavioral health services Medicare doesn't. Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline: 1-800-324-8680.
A licensed insurance agent who works with Benefits Life can help you check whether your therapist is in a plan's network, at no cost to you. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or see plans for your ZIP code.
Related questions
Can I keep my doctor with Medicare?
Networks and Ohio's billing law.
Does Medicare cover home health care?
Skilled care at home.
How do I get rides to the doctor?
County JFS rides and more.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Mental health care (outpatient)
- Medicare.gov — Mental health care (inpatient)
- Medicare.gov — Telehealth
- Ohio Revised Code — Section 4769.01, Balance billing of Medicare beneficiaries: definitions
- Ohio Revised Code — Section 340.01, Alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health service districts
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
More questions in this guide
- Can I keep my doctor when I go on Medicare in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover assisted living in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover dental in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover diabetes supplies in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover eye exams and glasses in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover hearing aids in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover home health care in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover nursing home care in Ohio?
- How do I get rides to the doctor with Medicare in Ohio?
Part of the guide: Medicare basics for Ohioans · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I see a licensed counselor in Ohio with Medicare?
Yes. Since 2024 Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors, such as Ohio licensed professional clinical counselors who meet Medicare's requirements and enroll with Medicare. Ask whether the counselor accepts Medicare before your first visit.
Is there a limit on psychiatric hospital stays?
Yes. Part A pays for up to 190 days of inpatient care in a freestanding psychiatric hospital in your lifetime. The limit doesn't apply to psychiatric care in a general hospital.
Can I have therapy by video or phone with Medicare?
Yes. Medicare covers mental health visits by telehealth, including at home. Ask your provider whether they offer telehealth and whether a phone-only visit is allowed for your service.
Medicare in your Ohio county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Franklin · Cuyahoga · Hamilton · Summit · Montgomery · Lucas · Butler · Stark · Lorain · Warren · Delaware · Lake · Mahoning · Clermont · Trumbull · Licking · Medina · Greene · Fairfield · Portage · All 88 counties →
