According to the National Council on Aging , up to 25% of seniors aged 65 and older live with a mental health condition. Furthermore, nearly 5% of older adults are living with a serious mental illness, which may include:
Depression (most common)
Schizophrenia (less common)
Bipolar disorder (least common)
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse , nearly 1 million adults aged 65 and older live with a substance use disorder. Furthermore, alcohol is the most used drug among older adults, with about 65% reporting high-risk drinking, which Dietary Guidelines defines as:
More than two drinks per day for men
More than one drink per day for women
Also, over 10% of seniors binge drink. Guidelines recommend you avoid binge drinking, which is defined as:
5 or more drinks for males
4 or more drinks for females
Medicare helps pay for mental health services. Starting January 1, 2024 , it also covers services for marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. Medicare also covers depression and alcohol misuse screenings.
First, let’s identify the symptoms of mental health problems.
Symptoms of Mental Health Problems
You might have a mental health problem if you have any of the following symptoms :
Feeling sad or down
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Problems with alcohol or drug use
Suicidal thinking
Medicare Depression Screening
Medicare Part B covers one depression screening per year to identify symptoms of depression. You pay nothing for this screening if your doctor accepts Medicare assignment. Furthermore, you must get this screening in your primary care setting (doctor’s office).
Medicare Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling
Medicare Part B covers alcohol misuse screening for adults, including pregnant individuals, who use alcohol, but don’t meet the medical criteria for alcohol dependency . Medicare covers one alcohol misuse screening per year, and you pay nothing if your doctor accepts Medicare assignment.
Your primary care doctor can provide up to 4 brief, face-to-face alcohol misuse counseling sessions each year if you are competent and alert. Furthermore, counseling must be in a primary care setting (doctor’s office).
Medicare Telehealth Services
Through December 31, 2024, you can get Medicare telehealth services at any location in the US, including your home. After this period, certain services require you to be in an office or medical facility in a US rural area. However, certain Medicare telehealth services will still be available without being in a rural healthcare setting, including:
Services to treat a substance use disorder or a co-occurring mental health disorder (dual disorder), or for the diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of a mental health disorder, including in your home.
Behavioral health services, including in your home.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
To talk with a trained crisis counselor, call or text 988 for free and confidential emotional support. US counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also connect with a counselor at 988lifeline.org .
Discover what parts of Medicare cover inpatient and outpatient mental health services and prescription drug coverage.
Call Senior Healthcare Direct at 1-833-463-3262 to speak with a licensed agent.
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