Psychological care. Psychological counseling is not technically medical care. But under some circumstances, Medicare Part B or Medicare Part C managed care will cover counseling by a clinical psychologist. The person's doctor must prescribe the treatment. The psychologist must be certified by Medicare. And the psychological care must relate to a problem -- such as depression or anxiety -- arising out of a medical condition for which the doctor is treating her. If she's suffering emotionally from the strain of a physical illness, suggest that she discuss the problem with her doctor. If she and the doctor believe she might benefit from psychological counseling, Medicare Part B or her Medicare Advantage managed care plan might cover the care. The office of the psychologist she's referred to can find out in advance from Medicare whether it would cover her treatment there.
Adult daycare. In general, adult daycare provides personal monitoring and attention with structured activity in a secure environment. Medicare usually considers this type of care "custodial" rather than medical and so usually doesn't cover it. Medicare can cover services from an adult daycare center only in very limited circumstances.
Medicare might cover actual mental health treatment, prescribed by a physician, provided at an outpatient mental health clinic. If this clinic is also an adult daycare center, the patient can get the benefit of the center's other care services while receiving treatment there. Medicare will cover this kind of care only if, and for as long as, it involves actual medical treatment -- administration and monitoring of medication, for example, or help with recovery from a medical crisis.Also, some Part C Medicare Advantage managed care plans offer limited adult daycare coverage as part of their comprehensive home care services. Medicare doesn't require that these plans offer this, so the nature and extent of what they cover depends entirely on the plans themselves.
Finally, Medicare partners with Medicaid to sponsor what's called the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This provides comprehensive home and community care, including adult daycare, for frail elders who would otherwise require nursing home care. PACE is only available in certain states, however. And in those states, it may be available only to those who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. See Medicare's official website at www.medicare.gov for a list of PACE programs.
Although I was already somewhat informed about this topic, I still found beneficial information in your article. Thank you!
I also have a Mother with Alzheimer's Is there a way that I can recieve financial assistance? from Medical or any part of the governments? I pray that anyone who has a family member with this problem can get an answer. Thanks
My father is in the advanced stages of Alzheimers. He has been living in a facilityfor the last 3 years. It is costing my mother almost $7,00.00 a month and this money will soon run out. Does Medicare cover any of this? Will his Aetna insurance cover any of this? Does any one know of some one you can hire to navigate the web of insurance coverage? They don't make it easy to figure out. Thanks God I don't have Alzeimers.
I need to have a wooden handicap ramp built and an 8 ft. by 8 ft. deck from which it will extend. Is there any monetary assistance from any organization? My husband has Alzheimer's and physical handicap. I am finding that it is taking forever to figure out how to do this. Internet sites are so confusing. I have had some bids by local contractors so far, and there is no way I can afford the work. Thanks if you have any information.
As a daughter and caregiver of a mentally ill parent, my mom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, I can attest to how emotionally difficult their care can be. For support, feel free to visit my blog at mentalillnessmatters.wordpress.com