860.265.4427When aging in place there is often, rightfully so, a focus on how your loved one will receive the medical attention she/he may need. This focused attention frequently looks at ones physical health first and most often, but mental health should be a priority as well.
When someone is aging in place she/he may be suffering silently from a variety of mental health challenges that could affect their ability to continue to live safely and independently. These mental health challenges should not be ignored and should be treated with the same sense of urgency that a physical health need would be addressed.
It is for this reason that Medicare Part B will help pay for a significant number of outpatient mental health services to help keep your loved one healthy on the inside and out. Some of these outpatient services that Medicare Part B will help pay for include, but are not limited to the following;
1.) Individual or group psychotherapy visits with a doctor or with certain other licensed professionals
2.) Depression screenings annually. This screening must be done in your primary care’s office where follow up and referrals can be made.
3.) Psychiatric evaluation.
4.) Family counseling to address the treatment that you need.
5.) Medication management.
6.) A yearly “wellness” visit where you can talk with your medical provider about your overall mental health and address any concerns you may have.
You can see a complete list of all of the mental health items that Medicare Part B can help you cover here. When you or a loved one are aging in place it is so critical that both your physical and mental health are addressed in a serious and on-going basis. If you are keeping up with your wellness visits and are doing what your medical provider is recommending you should be able to continue to live independently for years to come.
