Psychotherapists who accept medicare??

Posted by fate @fate, Nov 16, 2021

I have searched for over a year for a therapist who accepts medicare. My long term therapist retired and left me without a referral. These "young" therapist want private pay it seems. Are we older folks thrown to the curb because we are not profitable? Community mental health only cater to addiction therapy. I feel bitter, angry and terribly saddened that mental health care is accessible only to the more wealthy.

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This is my first time reading your post. I'm hoping that after 7 months, you have found a therapist and are establishing an effective working bond. I'm 67 and I think I can relate to you. In my lifetime, I've had several therapists who naturally "aged out."
My current therapist is 72 and semi-retired. I imagine that in a couple of years, I'll be searching for a new one...and I don't look forward to that "breaking-in" period...lol...smh

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You might try your local university if it has a medical school. Also, contact your county agency for senior services.

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@kayjay209

hi all

i wish i could say i found someone taking medicare but have not. currently i am private paying for a psychiatrist to manage my meds. actually my son has helped me with the payments as it is about 350.00 an hour. fortunately he does half hour charges. i searched in my area for months. i have medicare with a supplement plan. no help from medicare or my supplemental insurance. my county will help me if i drop my supplement and apply for medi-cal. i can't do that as i have had cancer and don't want to lose the extended coverage. my therapist takes both but she can not prescribe. it's a mess. i am so close to stopping the psychiatrist because of the cost to me and my son.

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If you qualify for Medicare services for home health they will set up your meds if you are unable. Some of the medicaps cover HH. They also have psych nurses as I am one.

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@nanasusan

Unfortunately, Medicare covers certain screenings, etc. But they often do not cover long term therapy.

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I found information online that stated medicare does accept limited sessions per year. If memories serve me right, it was a low number like 5 sessions. Laughable!

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22 a day counseling in eau claire wi does. If you live in wi they do phone visits also. 5 star people.

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