How to Find a Therapist Who Accepts Medicare

Taking care of your mental well-being plays a big role in supporting your overall health,  especially as you age. Prioritizing your mental health as you get older is important, but this is sometimes easier said than done. Finding a therapist who accepts your insurance — particularly if you’re on Medicare — is a common obstacle many aging adults face when seeking mental health support.  

Luckily, finding a therapist who accepts Medicare has become a lot easier. Here, we’ll discuss what Medicare covers for mental health care, how to find a therapist who accepts Medicare, and how SonderMind makes it easy to connect with a licensed mental health professional who’s right for you. 

What therapy services does Medicare cover?

Medicare covers therapy services. However, your coverage and out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on your specific plan and the type of therapy services you need. Before choosing a therapist, it's important to check what your plan covers and what your out-of-pocket expenses will be. 

If you’re on Original Medicare (Parts A and B), here’s an idea of what might be covered. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), helps pay for these outpatient mental health services:

• One depression screening per year. The screening must be done in a primary care doctor’s office or primary care clinic that can provide follow-up treatment and referrals.
• Individual and group psychotherapy with doctors or certain other licensed professionals, as the state where you get the services allows.
• Family counseling (if the main purpose is to help with your treatment).
• Testing to check if you’re getting the services you need and if your current treatment is helping you.
• Psychiatric evaluation
• Medication management (Certain medications require additional coverage, so check your Medicare plan for details.)
• Certain prescription drugs 
• Diagnostic tests
• A one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit, which includes a review of your possible risk factors for depression.
• A yearly “Wellness” visit so you can talk to your doctor about changes in your mental health since your last visit. 
• Outpatient mental health services for treatment of substance use disorder.

Original Medicare also covers online therapy services if you’d prefer to connect with a therapist from the comfort of your own home. However, it’s important to check with your plan to see what your specific coverage is and if there are any requirements for online therapy services.

It’s also important to note that Original Medicare is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, it may offer extra benefits, like certain types of mental health care that’s not covered by Original Medicare. To find out your specific benefits and coverage, reach out to your plan. 

Connecting with the right therapist goes beyond Medicare coverage 

When looking for a therapist, it's important to consider a few additional factors beyond whether or not they accept your Medicare plan, including: 

1. The cost of therapy and your out-of-pocket expenses, including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. 
2. The location of your therapist’s office to see if you’ll be able to conveniently attend therapy sessions. 
3. Your therapist’s specialties, credentials, and expertise to ensure they can meet your unique needs and offer the best support.  
4. How your therapist approaches treatment (for example, do they provide homework assignments in between therapy sessions, etc.) 

Here’s a list of questions you can ask your therapist to ensure they’re the right fit for you. If you find that your therapist isn’t meeting your needs, it’s always okay to move on and find a new one. 

SonderMind makes it easy to find a therapist who accepts Medicare 

Finding a therapist who takes Medicare may seem daunting at first. However, there are a few options available to help you during the process. You can talk to your doctor about how you’re feeling, and they can help connect you to a licensed mental health professional who accepts Medicare. You can use the Medicare website and search for providers who accept your plan. 

However, using SonderMind to find a therapist who accepts Medicare can make sure you’re not only connecting with someone who accepts your insurance, but who is also the right fit for you — all within 48 hours. We ask you a few questions to find out what you’re looking for in a therapist, and then connect you with licensed professionals who meet your unique needs and preferences. SonderMind therapists can provide you with evidence-based support , in-person or online — to help you see change, faster.

SonderMind offers therapy services that are covered by Medicare in certain states, and we have licensed therapists who are in-network with Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Check out our Medicare page on our website for more information. If you have specific questions about your coverage for SonderMind therapy, reach out to your plan.

Learn more about how SonderMind connects you with mental health care that’s right for you, and answer a few questions to get started. 

Therapy is worth it at any age 

Your mental health matters — regardless of your age or health insurance plan. In fact, research shows that older adults actually respond better to psychological therapy than working-age adults. So if you’d like to get support for your mental health and well-being, know that therapists who accept Medicare are available, and that therapy is an effective tool to help you reach your goals and feel better. With the right therapist, you can begin to take steps towards a happier and healthier life.