MMHC Expands Telehealth Therapy Services Under Medicare Part B in New York

Manhattan Mental Health Counseling (MMHC) has expanded its telehealth therapy services to incorporate coverage under Original Medicare Part B throughout New York State. This initiative allows Medicare enrollees to access therapy sessions without needing referrals or facing limits on session frequency. Each MMHC therapist is enrolled with Medicare, facilitating direct billing and minimizing upfront payments and paperwork for patients.

Beneficiaries with a Medigap supplement typically pay nothing for sessions, while those on Medicare Part B can expect a cost of approximately $27 for a standard 53-minute session after meeting the annual deductible. Patients can confirm treatment costs before their initial session via MMHC's website, ensuring transparency and convenience.

The telehealth format allows MMHC to deliver services to patients across New York, from Manhattan's urban landscape to rural upstate areas, removing geographical barriers to mental health care. This is especially crucial as older populations often lack awareness about Medicare coverage for mental health resources.

Steven Buchwald, Managing Director of MMHC, emphasized efforts to streamline access to care, stating, "We enrolled every one of our therapists and made the first step as small as possible: one call, your exact cost, a session within days."

Medicare Part B covers necessary outpatient psychotherapy, including telehealth, provided the service addresses a diagnosed condition or helps prevent its deterioration. Patients using Medigap supplements incur minimal costs, while those relying only on Part B bear a coinsurance fee after meeting their annual deductible. This highlights cost management distinctions between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

MMHC’s Director of Credentialing, Nashuan Lee, pointed out, "A surprising number of patients don't know whether they carry a Medigap supplement, and that one detail is the difference between twenty-seven dollars a session and zero."

Medigap plans in New York offer year-round enrollment flexibility regardless of age or health status, with a potential waiting period for those without prior continuous coverage. This feature allows New Yorkers to potentially eliminate session costs.

MMHC’s team comprises over 91 therapists experienced in various psychotherapeutic methods, addressing common issues among seniors such as depression, anxiety, and grief. Since its inception in 2014, the practice has served more than 5,000 patients and continues to accept new Medicare beneficiaries. For more information or appointment scheduling, visit MMHC’s website or contact the practice directly. This move demonstrates telehealth's growing role in enhancing access to mental health services for diverse patient demographics in New York.