Medicare & Your Mental Health Benefits

Mental health conditions like depression or anxiety can come at any age and can happen to anyone. If you think you may have problems that affect your mental health, you can get help. Talk to your doctor or other health care provider if you have: Thoughts of ending your life (like a fixation on death or suicidal thoughts or attempts); Sad, empty, or hopeless feelings; Loss of self worth (like worries about being a burden, feelings of worthlessness, or self-loathing); Social withdrawal and isolation (reluctance to be with friends, engage in activities, or leave home); Little interest in things you used to enjoy; A lack of energy; Trouble concentrating; Trouble sleeping (like difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness); Weight loss or loss of appetite; Increased use of alcohol or other drugs. Mental health care includes services and programs to help diagnose and treat mental health conditions. These services and programs may be provided in outpatient and inpatient settings. Medicare helps cover outpatient and inpatient mental health care, as well as prescription drugs you may need to treat a mental health condition. This publication gives you information about mental health benefits in Original Medicare. Also available in Spanish.