17

Sa nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Does Medicare Cover Talk Therapy Services? Dear Savvy Senior, What types of mental health services does Medicare cover? I struggle with anxiety and depression, and my primary care provider recommended I see a therapist or psychiatrist. Anxious Annie Dear Annie, Medicare actually covers both outpatient and inpatient mental health care services and programs to help benefi ciaries with anxiety, depression and many other mental health needs. Here what you should know. Outpatient Coverage If you’re enrolled in original Medicare, your Part B coverage will pay 80 percent (after you’ve met your annual $257 Part B deductible) for a variety of counseling and mental health care services that are provided outside a hospital, such as in a doctor or therapist’s offi ce, hospital outpatient department or community health center. These services can also be received via telehealth. You, or your Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy, is responsible for the remaining 20 percent coinsurance. Medicare also gives you the expanded option of getting treatment through a variety of health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. To get this coverage, you’ll need to choose a participating provider that accepts Medicare assignment, which means they accept Medicare’s approved amount as full payment for a service. If you choose a nonparticipating provider who accepts Medicare but does not agree to Medicare’s payment rate, you may have to pay more. And if you choose an opt-out provider that does not accept Medicare payments at all, you will be responsible for the entire cost. To locate a mental health care professional in your area that accepts Medicare, go to Medicare.gov/care-compare, click on “doctors & clinicians” and type in your location, followed by “clinical psychologist” or “psychiatry” in the Name & Keyword box. You can also get this information by calling Medicare at 800-633-4227. Inpatient Coverage If you happen to need mental health services in either a general or psychiatric hospital, original Medicare Part A covers this too, after you’ve met your $1,676 Part A deductible. Your doctor should determine which hospital setting you need. If you receive care in a psychiatric hospital, Medicare covers up to 190 days of inpatient care for your lifetime. And if you use your lifetime days but need additional care, Medicare may cover additional inpatient care at a general hospital. Additional Coverage In addition to the outpatient and inpatient mental health services, Medicare also covers yearly depression screenings that must be done in a primary care doctor’s offi ce or clinic. Annual depression screenings are covered 100 percent. And if you have a Medicare prescription drug plan, most medications used to treat mental health conditions are covered too. Medicare Advantage Coverage If you get your Medicare benefi ts through a private Medicare Advantage plan, they too provide the same coverage as original Medicare does, but may impose diff erent rules and will likely require you to see an in-network provider. You’ll need to contact your plan directly for details. For more information, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and request a copy of publication #10184 “Medicare & Your Mental Health Benefi ts,” or you can read it online at Medicare.gov. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 17, 2025 TESTING | FROM PAGE 1 The ordinance designates the Docklands Innovation District, which is one of three in the area, in addition to the Lower Broadway Economic Development District on Lower Broadway and the Commercial Triangle Economic Development District, as an area for facilities, but Rogers doesn’t think animal testing is innovative. She also said Everett doesn’t have the space for facilities like Cambridge does. “I’m glad companies are moving away from animal testing, but don’t want Everett to get left behind other communities in the future when companies are already there,” Smith countered. “They are doing animal testing now and will go to other communities and change there. I don’t want to close the door to life science, BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 gles for civil rights,” said Kushmerek. PROHIBIT REVOCATION OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES (H 4937) – Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would repeal a current state law which creates professional licensure consequences for anyone who defaults on their student loan. Under current law, a borrower’s state-issued professional or occupational certifi cate, registration or license can be suspended, revoked or canceled if the borrower is in default on an education loan. Page 17 so when they change, they’ll be here.” Martins argued that previous ordinances prohibited testing. “That’s what our citizens supported,” she said. “Limited testing is still testing. I’m not against life science, but it’s possible to have life science without animal testing. They can test cell cultures, but it’s expensive.” She also said, “In regard to high paying jobs, we don’t just get those jobs. We have to start with basics and think about funding our schools properly and job preparedness. We have to make sure our people are qualifi ed. Otherwise, we’re just bringing in people from the outside.” She didn’t mention that a local facility could prompt people to move to Everett. Smith acknowledged there are alternatives and they are “Current laws are potentially harmful to the more than one million student loan borrowers in the commonwealth,” said sponsor Rep. Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster). “With all of the uncertainty around the federal student loan forgiveness and repayment plans, now more than ever, we need to protect student loan borrowers and ensure they can continue their work and have the ability to repay their student loan debt.” ID FOR LIQUOR PURCHASES (H 4131) – Gov. Healey signed into law a measure that would allow alcohol-serving establishments to accept all out-of-state more expensive, but “in cities around us, they are doing animal testing.” She also said, “Companies help with job force creation.” In discussion, Garcia said, “Every single email I’ve gotten is against this. I have to listen to my constituents.” Hanlon said, “I don’t think I want to see animal testing, but I don’t want to see the benefi ts it’s brought to the human race end” before voting for the new ordinance. Matewsky added that he hopes the Mayor crafts a host agreement “that puts their feet to the fi re.” DiPierro said there were good arguments on both sides. “I’m torn,” he admitted. “The reality is if neighboring communities are allowing it, companies will go to those communities. Everett will not be an option.” motor vehicle licenses and Global Entry cards issued by the United States Customs and Border Protection. “Massachusetts has been the only state in the entire United States that did not permit retailers of alcohol beverages to rely on a valid out-of-state ID for the purchase of alcoholic beverages,” said a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Package Stores Association (MASSPACK), a non-profi t trade organization representing locally owned retailers of beer, wine and spirits headquartered in Massachusetts. “This regulation was archaBEACON | SEE PAGE 18

18 Publizr Home