I'm caring for my spouse with dementia and experiencing caregiver burnout. Will Medicare cover any mental health support for me?

Question

Charise Karjala · Accepted Answer

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Gary Church · Answer

If you’re on Medicare mental health is supported by Medicare as for your spouse with dementia Medicare will provide health care services. But you’d have to look into local caregivers to be able to help you as far as with with that, but not Medicare.

Answered by Gary Church on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ca, AZ, NV & TX

Answered by Gary Church Medicare Insurance Agent

Christie LeBoeuf · Answer

Thanks so much for your question. In specific situations, Medicare can cover respite care. Feel free to call me at 504–332–5410 and we can discuss the particulars more in-depth. Have a great afternoon!

Answered by Christie LeBoeuf on May 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in LA, AL, GA, MS & TX

Answered by Christie LeBoeuf Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Yes. Depending on whether you signed up with a Supplement or an Advantage plan, call the Customer Service # on the back of that plastic card. The Customer Rep will enumerate those benefits for a spouse who is suffering from burnout. Good luck!

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

That depends if you’re on Medicare and enrolled in a plan that provides mental health services. Let me also preface by stating although caregiver burnout is very stressful, it may not qualify under the mental health category which is usually reserved for individuals with certain diagnosis i.e. depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. There are services/plans that offer respite care which provides caregivers temporary relief/breaks to do something for themselves away from the situation.

Answered by Timothy Brown on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Bill Wheeler · Answer

Yes, Medicare does offer some coverage for mental health services in Kentucky, specifically through Medicare Part B

Gary Henderson · Answer

Outpatient Mental Health Care (Part B):
Covers individual and group psychotherapy with licensed professionals.
Includes annual depression screenings.
Covers psychiatric evaluations and diagnostic tests.
Covers medication management and injections received at a provider's office.
Covers partial hospitalization programs (PHPs).
Covers intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
Covers other mental health services like substance abuse treatment, occupational therapy, and more.

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Sone Medicare plans offer this service.  There are also services in your community that assist.  Use findhelp.org to locate services in your community

Karen Ansell · Answer

I have seen many caregivers end up sicker than the person they are taking care of. It is very important for the care giver to take care of their own mental health. Medicare will pay for both in patient and out patient mental health.

Answered by Karen Ansell on April 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, GA, KY & OH

Answered by Karen Ansell Medicare Insurance Agent

Richard Balistreri · Answer

Medicare does not directly cover mental health services for caregivers unless they are also Medicare beneficiaries. That said, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may offer additional benefits that support caregivers, such as counseling or respite care.

Answered by Richard Balistreri on May 13, 2025

Agent Licensed in MO, AZ, FL & 7 other states

Answered by Richard Balistreri Medicare Insurance Agent

Charles Borg · Answer

I don’t think so. It would be a good idea to submit a claim anyway. That way you’ll know for sure if it’s covered or not.

Ryan Ross · Answer

Yes, Medicare can help you get support if you are feeling burned out as a caregiver.

Even though Medicare doesn’t directly cover services just for caregivers, it does cover mental health services like:

Therapy or counseling with a licensed professional
Depression or anxiety screenings
Telehealth sessions (from home!)
Support groups, if led by a Medicare-approved provider

You will need to talk to your doctor or primary care provider and get a referral if needed. You're not alone, help is out there, and Medicare can be part of the solution. Would you like help finding a provider or understanding what’s covered in your plan?

Alexander Lehn · Answer

This will depend completely on the Medicare plan that you have. If you are on original Medicare or have a supplement, only "medically necessary" things are covered. If you see a Primary Care Physician for the issue, there's a possibility that certain mental health support could be covered. If you are on an Advantage plan, most have built-in access to mental health support in their supplemental wellness benefits. This can vary from carrier to carrier though and I would recommend having your coverage reviewed by a licensed Medicare agent to determine what you may have access to.

Answered by Alexander Lehn on April 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in NV, CA, FL & TX

Answered by Alexander Lehn Medicare Insurance Agent

Chris Bumgardner · Answer

If you have your own Medicare coverage, PartB can help you with mental health services (therapy, counseling, psychiatric and certain preventive services). Medicare covers both in person and telehealth services. These services may require a 20 % copay after meeting Part B deductible.

Answered by Chris Bumgardner on April 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, CO, IL & TN

Answered by Chris Bumgardner Medicare Insurance Agent

David Cranford · Answer

Medicare will cover respite care for the caregiver provided the patient is on Hospice. This coverage is for a period of 5 days and the patient will be placed in a facility to care for his or her needs so the caregiver can benefit from the break.

Answered by David Cranford on May 19, 2025

Agent Licensed in OK, FL, IL, OH, TN & TX

Answered by David Cranford Medicare Insurance Agent

Mark Szymanski · Answer

Most plans do cover mental health care support. For full clarification check out the Summary of Benefits.

Dashelle Warntjes · Answer

I hear from many caretakers and firstly, please know you are not alone in this caretaking journey. 
There are many Medicare Advantage plans that are rich with Mental Health coverage imbedded in them!

I'm caring for my spouse with dementia and experiencing caregiver burnout. Will Medicare cover any mental health support for me?

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I'm caring for my spouse with dementia and experiencing caregiver burnout. Will Medicare cover any mental health support for me?

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