Medicare · Psychiatry
Medicare Psychiatry in California: a clear, practical guide
A plain-language walkthrough of how Medicare covers psychiatric care in California, what you'll pay, and how to use your benefits with Seavaint Health.
By Sophia Nairima, FNP-BC, PMHNP-C · Reviewed May 2026
Quick summary
If you have Medicare, you may be wondering whether psychiatric care, especially medication management for anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other concerns, is covered. The short answer is yes, in most cases. This guide explains what Medicare covers for psychiatry, what your out-of-pocket cost might look like, and how to book through Seavaint Health.
What Medicare covers for psychiatry
Medicare Part B (outpatient medical insurance) generally covers psychiatric services provided by approved practitioners, including:
- Initial psychiatric evaluations
- Medication management follow-up visits
- Telehealth visits with eligible providers
Through Seavaint Health, Sophia Nairima, FNP-BC, PMHNP-C, is the visit provider. Nurse practitioners are recognized Medicare providers under federal rules. Visits are billed directly to Medicare under standard psychiatric billing codes.
What you'll pay
For 2026, the typical pattern under Medicare Part B is:
- Annual deductible applies before Medicare starts paying. Once met, you usually pay 20% coinsurance on the Medicare-approved amount.
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans may cover all or most of that 20%, depending on your plan.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover psychiatry differently. We will check eligibility before your visit.
Exact amounts vary by plan and year. We confirm your eligibility and any expected cost-sharing before your appointment.
Telehealth coverage under Medicare
Medicare expanded telehealth coverage significantly in recent years. Mental health services delivered via telehealth are covered under Part B, including audio-only visits in some circumstances. As of this writing, mental health telehealth coverage continues without geographic restrictions. We will let you know if any rule changes affect your visit.
How to book with Medicare at Seavaint
It's a four-step process, the same as any other Seavaint visit:
- Book through our patient portal.
- Submit your Medicare information through the intake form.
- We verify eligibility before your appointment.
- You attend your visit. We bill Medicare directly afterward.
You don't pay anything at the time of booking. Any patient responsibility (deductible or coinsurance) is billed after Medicare processes the claim.
What Medicare may not cover
It's worth knowing what Medicare typically does not cover so there are no surprises:
- Counseling or therapy by providers Medicare doesn't recognize
- Services provided outside California (we are a California-only practice anyway)
- Concierge or non-medical wellness services
If anything in your situation is unusual, we will flag it during eligibility verification before your appointment.
Medicare versus commercial insurance versus cash
Quick comparison for psychiatric visits at Seavaint:
- Medicare: Direct billing by Seavaint. Standard Part B cost-sharing applies.
- Commercial insurance: Billed through Headway, which verifies eligibility and copay before your visit.
- Cash pay: Available for any visit. Pricing is shown in the patient portal at booking.
For more detail, see our cost of telehealth psychiatry article or our insurance versus cash pay comparison.
FAQs
Does Medicare cover online psychiatry?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers telehealth psychiatric services from approved providers, including nurse practitioners. Coverage rules can change. We confirm eligibility before each visit.
Do you bill Medicare directly?
Yes. Seavaint Health bills Medicare directly for psychiatric services. You don't need to file claims yourself.
What if I have Medicare Advantage instead of Original Medicare?
Coverage depends on your plan. We verify eligibility before your appointment and let you know what to expect.
Can I see a psychiatrist or only a nurse practitioner?
At Seavaint, your psychiatric visits are with Sophia Nairima, FNP-BC, PMHNP-C, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Do you bill Medicare for non-psychiatry services?
No. We bill Medicare only for psychiatric services. Other services are cash pay.
What if Medicare denies a claim?
We work with you to understand why and what options exist, including resubmitting with corrected information.
Authored and reviewed by Sophia Nairima, FNP-BC, PMHNP-C. Last reviewed May 2026. This article is educational and not a substitute for individual medical advice. For care, book a visit in the patient portal.