Author Topic: Does Medicare cover psychotherapy home visits?  (Read 2376 times)

Christy

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Does Medicare cover psychotherapy home visits?
« on: July 26, 2013, 12:38:35 PM »
In New York State, will Medicare cover a psychotherapy visit to a patient's home? The patient is elderly and home bound. The patient happens to live in an assisted living facility, but the services would not be provided by/contracted through the assisted living facility. It's just the patient contacting the psychotherapist for service in the home which happens to be at an assisted living facility.

thanks!

PMRNC

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Re: Does Medicare cover psychotherapy home visits?
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2013, 02:52:55 PM »
Quote
The patient happens to live in an assisted living facility, but the services would not be provided by/contracted through the assisted living facility. It's just the patient contacting the psychotherapist for service in the home which happens to be at an assisted living facility

Since Medicare doesn't pay for Assisted living I'm thinking No, and they only pay for certain home healthcare which this would fall under. Most assisted living patients contract privately with providers if they don't meet home health care guidelines. I know that Alzheimer, certain mental health issues, and dementia could be covered diagnosis but I am thinking Medicare will need the attending physicians orders for these and I would contact Medicare directly and inquire about this with them. It could vary with the diagnosis, procedure AND prognosis.
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Merry

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Re: Does Medicare cover psychotherapy home visits?
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2013, 02:56:59 PM »
It should be covered as it is a Medicare covered service but the patient should get their physician involved as there may be medications or other services that they may need. The psychologist cannot charge for travel to the patient's home and the patient should know that mental health is still not paid at a parity level as are other medical services (yet).

Christy

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Re: Does Medicare cover psychotherapy home visits?
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2013, 05:57:51 PM »
thanks ladies! :)

the assisted living is not involved in any way. It just happens to be the place where the patient lives....

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Re: Does Medicare cover psychotherapy home visits?
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2013, 05:57:51 PM »