The most reliable way to find a therapist who accepts Medicare is through Medicare’s own provider directory at Medicare.gov/care-compare, where you can search by location and specialty. But that’s just one of several approaches, and knowing what Medicare actually covers for therapy (and what you’ll pay out of pocket) will help you make a smarter choice. Here’s how to navigate the process from start to finish.
What Medicare Covers for Therapy
Medicare Part B covers a broad range of outpatient mental health services. This includes individual and group psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, family counseling (when it supports your treatment), and diagnostic testing. You’re also entitled to one free depression screening per year at a primary care office, plus mental health services tied to substance use disorder treatment.
Part B also covers intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization for people who need more structured care without a full inpatient stay. Telehealth therapy is covered through at least December 31, 2027, meaning you can do sessions from home rather than traveling to an office. This is especially useful if Medicare-accepting therapists in your area are limited.
Which Types of Therapists Can Bill Medicare
Medicare covers sessions with a wider range of mental health professionals than many people realize:
- Psychiatrists and other physicians
- Clinical psychologists
- Clinical social workers
- Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists
- Physician assistants
- Marriage and family therapists
- Mental health counselors
That last two categories are a recent and significant change. Starting January 1, 2024, licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) and licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) became eligible to bill Medicare directly for the first time. This opened up a large pool of therapists who previously couldn’t see Medicare patients. These providers must hold at least a master’s degree and have completed at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience to qualify. Addiction counselors who meet mental health counselor requirements can also enroll.
One detail worth knowing: Medicare pays these newer provider types at 75% of what a clinical psychologist receives. This lower reimbursement rate means some LMFTs and LMHCs may be slower to enroll, but many have, and the number is growing steadily.
How to Search on Medicare.gov
The official Medicare Care Compare tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare lets you search for enrolled providers near you. Enter your ZIP code or city, then type a specialty like “psychiatry,” “clinical psychologist,” or “clinical social worker” in the keyword field. The results show providers who are enrolled in Medicare and whether they accept assignment (more on that below).
This tool is the most accurate source because it pulls directly from Medicare’s enrollment database. The downside is that it doesn’t tell you much about a therapist’s style, specialties, or availability. It’s best used to build a shortlist of names you then research further.
Using Third-Party Directories
Psychology Today’s therapist directory is one of the most popular search tools, and it has a dedicated Medicare filter. Go to psychologytoday.com/us/therapists, enter your location, and select “Medicare” under the insurance filter. Each listing typically includes the therapist’s approach, areas of expertise, and a short bio, giving you far more context than the Medicare.gov tool alone.
Other directories with Medicare filtering options include TherapyDen, GoodTherapy, and the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) treatment locator. You can also call your local community mental health center directly, as these facilities commonly accept Medicare and often have shorter wait times than private practices.
Whichever directory you use, always verify directly with the therapist’s office that they currently accept Medicare before booking. Directory listings can lag behind real-world changes.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Your search process depends on which type of Medicare you have. With Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you can see any therapist in the country who is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment. There’s no network to worry about.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you’re typically limited to therapists within your plan’s network. Your plan is required to cover at least the same mental health services as Original Medicare, but the list of available providers may be smaller. Start your search through your plan’s own provider directory (usually on the plan’s website or by calling the number on your card) rather than Medicare.gov, since that’s where you’ll find in-network therapists. Going out of network usually means paying significantly more or covering the full cost yourself, depending on your plan type.
What “Accepting Assignment” Means for Your Bill
When you see the phrase “accepts assignment,” it means the therapist agrees to charge only the Medicare-approved amount for their services. Medicare pays its 80%, and you pay the remaining 20% coinsurance. The therapist cannot bill you for anything above that approved amount.
Providers who don’t accept assignment can charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount, and you’d owe that difference on top of your coinsurance. For ongoing weekly therapy, that surcharge adds up. Whenever possible, choose a provider who accepts assignment to keep your costs predictable.
What You’ll Pay Out of Pocket
In 2025, the Part B annual deductible is $257. Once you’ve met that, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for each therapy session. So if Medicare approves a session at $150, your share would be $30 per visit. If you receive services in a hospital outpatient clinic rather than a private office, you may owe an additional facility copayment.
That 20% coinsurance has no annual cap under Original Medicare, which matters if you’re attending therapy weekly. Over a full year of weekly sessions, coinsurance alone could reach $1,500 or more depending on the approved rate.
How Medigap Can Help
If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy, it can cover some or all of that 20% coinsurance. Medigap Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, M, and N all cover 100% of Part B coinsurance (Plan N has small copayments for some office visits). Plan K covers 50% and Plan L covers 75%. These policies only kick in after you’ve paid the Part B deductible, unless your specific plan also covers the deductible. If you’re planning to attend therapy regularly, a Medigap plan can eliminate most of your per-session costs.
Tips When You’re Having Trouble Finding a Provider
Medicare reimbursement rates are lower than what many therapists charge private-pay clients, so not every licensed therapist chooses to enroll. If your initial searches come up short, try broadening your approach.
First, expand your search to include all eligible provider types, not just psychologists or psychiatrists. Clinical social workers are the most common type of therapist in many areas and frequently accept Medicare. With the 2024 expansion, LMFTs and LMHCs are another growing option.
Second, consider telehealth. Since Medicare currently covers virtual therapy sessions from your home, you’re not limited to therapists within driving distance. A provider in another part of your state (they must be licensed in the state where you’re located during the session) may have availability even when local offices are full.
Third, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. These offices maintain referral lists of Medicare-accepting health providers and can connect you with therapists you might not find through online directories. You can reach them through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Finally, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan and can’t find an in-network therapist within a reasonable distance or wait time, call your plan and ask for help. Plans are required to maintain adequate provider networks, and if they can’t meet that standard, they may authorize out-of-network care at in-network rates.