Original Medicare (parts A and B) covers mental health services like grief counseling. This includes depression screenings, psychotherapy, and medication management. Medicare Advantage (Part C) should provide equivalent coverage.

Grief counseling, also called bereavement counseling, can help guide people through the grieving process. While grief counseling is often related to the loss of a loved one, people can also grieve over other big life changes, such as the loss of a relationship or job.

Grief counseling falls under the category of mental health services. Medicare covers most mental health services related to grief counseling for beneficiaries.

These services may include:

  • inpatient mental health services
  • outpatient mental health services
  • medications
  • partial hospitalization

In this article, we’ll explore Medicare’s coverage of grief counseling, as well as other Medicare-covered mental health services you may need during the grieving process.

Medicare covers a wide range of mental health services related to grief counseling.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient mental health services, while Medicare Part B covers outpatient and partial hospitalization mental health services.

Under Medicare, you’re covered for the following grief counseling services, if needed:

  • family counseling
  • group psychotherapy
  • individual psychotherapy
  • lab and diagnostic testing
  • medication management
  • partial hospitalization
  • psychiatric evaluations
  • yearly depression screenings

A doctor or mental health professional can help you determine which grief counseling services might be most helpful for you.

Once you’re ready to move forward with grief counseling, you can receive services from the following Medicare-approved professionals:

  • physicians
  • psychiatrists
  • clinical psychologists
  • clinical social workers
  • clinical nurse specialists
  • nurse practitioners
  • physician assistants
  • certified nurse-midwives

Medicare Parts A and B cover the majority of grief counseling mental health services. Other parts of Medicare, however, offer additional coverage for medication and out-of-pocket costs.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of how Medicare covers the various mental health services for grief counseling.

Part A

If you’re admitted to the hospital and require inpatient mental health services, you’ll be covered under Medicare Part A.

Part A will cover inpatient grief counseling services in either a general hospital or a psychiatric hospital. If your mental health services are administered in a psychiatric hospital, however, you’re covered for only up to 190 days.

Part B

If you require outpatient mental health services or partial hospitalization, you’ll be covered under Medicare Part B.

Medicare Part B will cover outpatient grief counseling services, such as:

  • individual and group psychotherapy
  • medication management
  • psychiatric evaluations

You may receive these services in a doctor’s office, healthcare professional’s office, hospital outpatient department, or community mental health center.

Part B will also cover partial hospitalization for grief counseling, which involves intensive daily therapy and counseling. However, Medicare covers only partial hospitalization programs provided through a community mental health center or hospital outpatient department.

Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Any mental health services covered under Medicare Parts A and B will also be covered under Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage).

Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer prescription drug coverage. If you and your doctor have decided you’d benefit from antidepressants or other medications during grief counseling, your Advantage plan may cover them.

Part D

If you require antidepressants or other prescription drugs as part of your mental health treatment, Medicare Part D will cover them.

Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants are all covered under Medicare Part D.

Additional drugs used during treatment may be covered by your Part D plan. But make sure to check your drug plan’s formulary (list of covered medications) for more information on what is and isn’t covered.

Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap)

If you need help paying some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with your mental health services, a Medigap plan can help.

Medigap is supplemental Medicare insurance that helps cover various costs associated with Original Medicare (parts A and B). This includes Part A and Part B:

  • coinsurance
  • copayments
  • deductibles

Some Medigap plans also cover excess charges and costs you may experience during foreign travel.

Before you purchase a Medigap plan, compare your coverage options to determine whether adding a policy is worth it.

Medicare covers any medically necessary services related to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of health conditions — including mental health conditions.

Below are some of the requirements for receiving grief counseling services under your Medicare plan.

Eligibility requirements

You don’t have to meet any specific eligibility requirements for grief counseling services under Medicare.

Instead, you and your team of healthcare professionals will determine what mental health services you may need during the grieving process.

These services may include counseling and group therapy appointments, short-term antidepressants, and, in some cases, partial or full hospitalization.

Healthcare professional requirements

Medicare generally covers all mental health services as long as the healthcare professional is an approved participating professional.

Participating professionals are those who accept Medicare assignments. This means they’ve contracted with Medicare to provide services to beneficiaries at a Medicare-approved rate.

Plenty of Medicare-approved mental health professionals accept Medicare assignments. If you’re not sure, however, you can always double-check with them (and your plan) first.

Finding help when you’ve had a loss

Grief is a personal yet collective experience that all of us will live through in our lifetime.

While the grieving process is incredibly hard, you don’t have to go through it alone. Here are some resources for finding professional help when you’re grieving:

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA is a national mental health resource with a 24/7 helpline that can be used to find grief support services in your area.
  • American Counseling Association (ACA): The ACA has a full page dedicated to articles, journals, and other specific resources for grieving people.
  • GriefShare: GriefShare is an organization that hosts weekly grief support groups around the nation. Its website has a find a group tool to help you locate groups in your area.

You can also reach out to your Medicare plan directly to find a therapist or other mental health professional who specializes in grief counseling in your area.

Even if you’re covered for mental health services under your Medicare plan, you may still need to pay some out-of-pocket costs associated with your care.

These costs for 2024 include:

  • Part A premium: usually $0 but may be up to $505 per month in some cases
  • Part A deductible: $1,632 per benefits period
  • Part A coinsurance: $408 or more per day after 60 days
  • Part B premium: $174.70 or more per month
  • Part B deductible: $240 per benefits period
  • Part B coinsurance: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount

Your premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for Part D, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap depend on your specific plan.

What if you do not have coverage?

If you don’t have Medicare coverage or any other healthcare coverage, you’ll have to pay all out-of-pocket costs for your grief counseling.

According to Thervo, the cost of counseling can average up to $250 per session. The cost may also depend on whether the session is in person or virtual.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to find low cost or free grief counseling groups in your area. Reach out to your local Department of Health for more information on potential groups near you.

Learn more with these articles: “How Much Does Therapy Cost?” and “Best Affordable Online Therapy in 2024“

For Medicare beneficiaries, most services related to grief counseling — including individual therapy, group therapy, and more — are covered under Original Medicare (parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C).

Adding a Medicare prescription drug plan and, in some cases, a Medigap plan can offer further coverage and payment help for grief counseling–related services and expenses.

If you need grief counseling or any other mental health services, the first step is to reach out to your healthcare professional. They can direct you to a mental health professional who can help you get the support you need.