Mental health care (inpatient)
Medicare Coverage Information
Overview
Medicare provides coverage for inpatient mental health services when hospitalization is medically necessary. Beneficiaries can receive treatment in psychiatric hospitals or general hospitals, with specific limitations and cost-sharing requirements.
- Covers medically necessary inpatient mental health hospitalizations
- Includes treatment in psychiatric hospitals and general hospital psychiatric units
- Part A helps cover hospital stays for mental health treatment
- Lifetime limit of 190 days for psychiatric hospital services
- Requires physician certification of medical necessity
- Medicare Part A beneficiaries
- Individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions
- Patients requiring intensive psychiatric care
- Those with a physician's recommendation for inpatient treatment
- Part A deductible applies to hospital admission
- Beneficiaries pay coinsurance based on length of hospital stay
- First 60 days typically covered after meeting Part A deductible
- Days 61-90 require additional daily coinsurance
- 190-day lifetime limit on psychiatric hospital services
- Must be deemed medically necessary by healthcare provider
- Requires prior authorization in some cases
- Some specialized treatments might not be fully covered
- Consult with your healthcare provider about medical necessity
- Verify coverage details with your specific Medicare plan
- Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE for precise coverage information
- Review your Medicare Summary Notice for specific charges
Last updated: 6/15/2025
Quick Information
- Provider
- Medicare
- Last Updated
- 6/15/2025
- Topics
- Medicaremental healthinpatient carepsychiatric hospitalmental health treatment
Related Coverage Topics
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