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Medicare coverage of outpatient Mental Health Counseling Services
While January is often cited as the most depressing month of the year, February is often a close second as days continue to be cold and often overcast.
Medicare Part B helps pay for outpatient mental health services and visits with these types of health professionals as long as they accept Medicare Assignment:
- Psychiatrist or other doctor
- Clinical Psychologist
- Clinical Social Workers
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
Services covered by Medicare:
- Depression Screening- One per year- If your doctor accepts the assignment, you pay nothing for the screening. Your screening must occur in a primary care setting (like a doctor's office).
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Individual and group psychotherapy doctors (or other licensed professionals).
- Family Counseling if the primary purpose is to help with your treatment.
- Psychiatric evaluation and other diagnostic tests
- Welcome to Medicare or Yearly Wellness visits. A review of risk factors for depression. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing depression.
- Medication management
- Outpatient treatment of substance abuse
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