Medicare.gov

Mental health & substance use disorders

Medicare covers certain screenings, services, and programs that aid in the treatment and recovery of mental health and substance use disorders.

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.

counselor talking to woman

Services & programs Medicare covers

Medicare covers a wide range of behavioral health services, including inpatient, outpatient, and more.

If you have:Medicare covers:
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) Services you get when you’re admitted to a general or psychiatric hospital as an inpatient.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
  • Inpatient services you get from a doctor or other health care provider while you’re in the hospital.
  • Intensive outpatient program services you get at a hospital, community mental health center, Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Clinic, or Opioid Treatment Program.
  • Outpatient services that you usually get outside a hospital, like in a doctor’s office or community mental health center. This includes outpatient services you might get as part of substance use disorder treatment.
  • Partial hospitalization services you get through a hospital outpatient department or community mental health center, if you meet certain requirements.
  • Behavioral health integration services to help manage your care for your health condition.
Medicare drug coverage (Part D) Many outpatient prescription drugs you may need to treat a mental health condition.

If you’re eligible for Medicare and Medicaid you may have even more coverage than what’s listed here. Call your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office to find out what other health services may be covered in your state.

Types of mental health care

Outpatient Mental Health Care

Services to help diagnose and treat mental health conditions (often called counseling or psychotherapy).

Understand Services

Intensive Outpatient Program Services

Part-time mental health care for people who need at least 9 hours of services per week.

Learn About Coverage

Partial Hospitalization

Full-day mental health care for people who need at least 20 hours of services per week.

Understand Services

Inpatient Care

Mental health care services when you’re admitted to a general or psychiatric hospital.

Learn About Coverage

Preventive screenings & counseling

Opioid Use Disorder Treatments

Counseling, therapy, assessments, and more to help recover from opioid use disorder.

Explore Treatments

Alcohol Misuse Screenings

To identify unhealthy drinking habits and counseling needs.

Understand Services

Find a mental health care provider

Find and compare providers for mental health and substance use disorder services near you. These providers can help to help treat conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders.  Some providers may offer these services via telehealth, which allows you to communicate in real-time with your health care provider without going to the doctor’s office. Get information about covered telehealth services.

Find Providers

Helpful links

For finding the care you need

FindSupport.gov - Explore care, support, and treatment options.

Mental Health America – Find help for you or someone else.

To learn more about mental health care

National Institute of Mental Health – Get care tips and resources.

National Council on Aging – Learn about mental health issues impacting older adults.

Tribal behavioral health coverage – Explore resources for American Indian and Alaska Native people.

National Alliance on Mental Illness – Find resources for people living with mental illness.

To learn about substance use disorders and treatment

Findtreatment.gov – Find state-licensed treatment options in your area for addiction and substance use disorder.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Learn how to manage pain without opioids.