Psychological Well being Consciousness Month in Might highlights the significance of Medicare’s psychological well being providers advantages.
This concern got here up for me not too long ago, when Michael, a 72-year-old former advertising and marketing government, instructed me that he was feeling remoted and anxious, particularly after his spouse’s passing.
Michael’s query: Does Medicare present help for psychological well being providers, and, if that’s the case, how can enrollees use the psychological well being providers advantages?
The quick reply: Sure. Medicare now covers a variety of psychological well being providers.
The Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers has posted a 24-page information to Medicare’s psychological well being advantages.
The Normal Advantages
Preventive providers: Medicare Half B covers annual despair screenings.
Medicines: Medicare Half D covers the medicines used to deal with psychological well being circumstances.
Outpatient remedy: Years in the past, well being insurers skimped on protection for psychological well being providers delivered outdoors of establishments. At present, Medicare Half B covers psychiatric evaluations, particular person remedy, group remedy and different providers offered in outpatient settings.
Telehealth providers: Medicare is now extra seemingly than previously to cowl counseling and different providers offered via telehealth techniques. That may be particularly useful for purchasers in distant or underserved areas.