Medicare.gov

Depression screening

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers depression screenings.

  • Covered by Part B
  • Preventive Service

  • Once a year

  • You pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment

Description

During the screening, your health care provider will ask you a series of questions to find out if you have depression.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988, the free and confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can call and speak with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also connect with a counselor through web chat at  988lifeline.org.

Call 911 if you're in immediate medical crisis. 

Coverage details

You must get the screening in a primary care setting (like a doctor's office) where you can get follow-up treatment and/or referrals to a mental health provider.

Costs

You pay nothing if your doctor or other health care provider accepts  assignment .  

How often

Once a year.

Ask your doctor or healthcare provider how much your test, item, or service will cost.

Your doctor may recommend services that Medicare does not cover or offers too frequently. This could end up in additional costs for you. Make sure to ask your doctor about the reasons for these recommendations and what Medicare will actually cover.

Specific amounts you could owe depend on:

  • Other insurance you may have

  • How much your doctor charges

  • If your doctor accepts assignment

  • The type of facility

  • Where you get your test, item, or service

Other related information

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