Mental health care (partial hospitalization)

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

may provide partial hospitalization coverage if you meet certain requirements and your doctor certifies that you would otherwise need inpatient treatment.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay a percentage of the

Medicare-Approved Amount

for each service you get from a doctor or certain other qualified mental health professionals if your health care professional accepts

assignment

. You also pay

coinsurance

for each day of partial hospitalization services you get in a hospital outpatient setting or community mental health center, and the Part B

deductible [glossary]

applies.

note:

To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:

Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
Whether your doctor accepts assignment
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service

note:

Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and whether Medicare will pay for them.

What it is

Partial hospitalization provides a structured program of outpatient psychiatric services as an alternative to inpatient psychiatric care. It’s more intense than care you get in a doctor’s or therapist’s office. You get this treatment during the day, and you don't have to stay overnight. Medicare helps cover partial hospitalization services you get through a hospital outpatient department or community mental health center.

Things to know

As part of your partial hospitalization program costs, Medicare may cover these:

Occupational therapy that’s part of your mental health treatment
Individual patient training and education about your condition

Medicare only partial hospitalization coverage only applies if the doctor and the program accept

assignment

.

Medicare doesn't cover:

Meals
Transportation to or from mental health care services
Support groups that bring people together to talk and socialize. (This is different from group psychotherapy, which is covered.)
Testing or training for job skills that isn't part of your mental health treatment.

Return to search results

Mental health care (partial hospitalization)

note:

note:

Is my test, item, or service covered?

Find out who to call about Medicare options, claims and more.

Try the "What's covered" mobile app!