Medicare Benefits: Mental Health Care New for 2010


Medicare is nothing if not difficult to understand and constantly changing so it is always worth it to you to stay up to date on the changes every year to Medicare benefits.  One of the new Medicare benefits for 2010 is the addition of “Mental Health Care” to individuals who are struggling with such things as depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

This new addition to Medicare benefits will assist you financially in taking care of the tab when you visit a doctor, psychiatrist or social worker to treat your mental health condition.  If you are diagnosed and being treated for your mental health condition then this Medicare benefit will cover more than if you are not.

When you are going to a doctor to be diagnosed for a mental health condition then this Medicare benefit will pay 20% of the amount that is approved by Medicare.  This same 20% applies to the Medicare benefit when you monitor or change your prescription that treats your mental health condition.

If you are receiving treatment for your mental health condition, such as trips to see a therapist or going through therapy then you will pay 45% of the Medicare approved amount under this Medicare benefit.  This amount will decrease over a 4 year period as part of your Medicare Part B deductible.


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