Medicare Benefits for Psychiatric Care

Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed to help Americans over 65 years of age. There are also provisions for some disabled people under 65, and all people who suffer from end-stage renal disease--permanent kidney failure that must be treated with dialysis or a transplant. Psychiatric care also is one of the areas that recipients are offered benefits. Medicare is broken down into parts A through D which refer to hospital coverage, medical insurance, medicare advantage plans and drug plans.

In-patient Services

• In terms of psychiatric care, Medicare Part A will only cover 190 days of in-patient care over the course of your lifetime. This includes time spent in a general or psychiatric hospital. Your room, meals, nurse care and other related services will be covered for 190 days. Medicare Part B helps with doctor's services and other practitioners that a patient may need while in hospital.

Outpatient Services

• Outpatient services are covered by Medicare Part B and include office visits to a psychiatrist or other doctor. It covers visits to a clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, group psychotherapy and family psychotherapy. Any outpatient hospital visits are covered, as are laboratory and diagnostic tests and evaluations and help with managing medications.

Psychotropic Drugs

• Part D of the Medicare package covers drug plans. If you have part D, you will be covered for any psychotropic drugs that are prescribed to you by your physician.