Key Takeaways

• Building a mental health resources sheet requires clarity, accessibility, and consistent updates to ensure clients keep and share it.

• As a licensed agent, you strengthen trust and add value by offering mental health support information alongside Medicare coverage details.

Why a Resources Sheet Matters in 2025

Mental health care has become a central concern for Medicare beneficiaries. With expanded coverage for outpatient therapy, telehealth options, and new professional categories like licensed mental health counselors, clients look for clear, practical information. A well-designed resources sheet not only helps them access care but also positions you as a trusted advisor beyond plan selection.

Many clients face barriers such as confusing coverage rules, uncertainty about what is included, and difficulty finding providers who accept Medicare. By offering a sheet that addresses these concerns, you reduce frustration and increase the likelihood they will rely on you in future enrollment conversations.

The Core Structure of an Effective Sheet

To create a sheet that clients keep and share, focus on simplicity and organization. Information overload will make it overwhelming, so each section should be concise and clearly labeled.

1. Contact Information

• Medicare Helpline: Include the official number for Medicare.

• Crisis Resources: National hotlines for suicide prevention and crisis support.

• Local Emergency Services: Emphasize 911 as the immediate response number.

2. Covered Services Overview

• Outline the current year’s Medicare Part A and Part B mental health coverage.

• Include outpatient therapy sessions, psychiatric evaluations, and preventive screenings.

• Note the 2025 updates: Part B covers marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors.

3. Cost Information

• Explain deductibles and coinsurance. For example, under Part B, most clients pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting the annual deductible.

• Highlight that outpatient therapy is covered after the deductible is met.

• Stress the importance of using Medicare-assigned providers to avoid unexpected costs.

4. Finding Providers

• Provide a step-by-step outline for using Medicare’s online Physician Compare tool.

• Add guidance on asking the right questions: Do you accept Medicare assignment? Are new patients being accepted?

• Suggest checking local community health centers and teaching hospitals.

5. Telehealth Options

• Explain that teletherapy remains covered in 2025 for services such as therapy sessions and psychiatric medication management.

• Note that video or audio-only sessions may be allowed, depending on the provider.

• Clarify that at least one in-person visit per year may be required starting October 2025, unless exceptions apply.

6. Additional Resources

• State-based mental health helplines.

• Nonprofit organizations offering senior support.

• Local Area Agencies on Aging directories.

Design Choices That Make a Difference

Your sheet must be practical and easy to scan. Consider the following:

• Readable Fonts: Use large, clear font sizes, avoiding decorative styles.

• Simple Layout: Organize into clearly separated sections with bold headings.

• One-Page Format: Keep it to a single double-sided sheet to prevent clutter.

• Printable and Digital Versions: Offer PDF and physical copies.

Adding icons or symbols can help readers quickly recognize categories like emergency numbers, provider search tools, and coverage details. Many older adults prefer visual cues over dense text.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

A resources sheet is only useful if it avoids certain traps that often lead to confusion.

1. Outdated Information

If you reuse last year’s sheet without updating, it may contain inaccurate coverage details. For instance, new provider types were added in 2024 and continue into 2025. Mark your calendar to refresh content every October after Medicare releases the following year’s updates.

2. Overly Technical Language

Clients do not need CPT codes or lengthy regulatory references. Translate insurance language into plain terms, such as “20% coinsurance after deductible” rather than detailed billing notes.

3. Missing Local Connections

Generic sheets lack impact. Tailor your sheet by adding regional hotlines, state-specific services, and local community resources so it feels personal and relevant.

4. Excessive Branding

Your name should appear discreetly as the agent who provided the sheet. If it looks like an advertisement, clients may be less inclined to keep or share it.

Timing: When to Share the Sheet

Distributing your resource sheet at the right time increases its usefulness.

1. During Medicare Annual Enrollment (October to December): Clients are already reviewing coverage and thinking about their needs. Including this sheet reinforces your role as a supportive advisor.

2. At Initial Enrollment (Turning 65): For new beneficiaries, this sheet sets the tone that Medicare includes mental health support.

3. Post-Enrollment Follow-Up (January to March): A thoughtful follow-up with the sheet reminds clients that you remain available beyond enrollment.

4. Mid-Year Reminders (July): As Medicare sends notifications about unused supplemental benefits, this is a good moment to send the sheet again to encourage use of covered services.

How to Keep It Relevant and Current

A stagnant sheet quickly becomes irrelevant. Build a process to refresh and maintain it.

• Set a Calendar Alert: Review updates every September as the next year’s Medicare cost-sharing amounts are released.

• Check Provider Resources: Ensure your provider search instructions still match the Medicare.gov platform.

• Verify Hotlines: Crisis lines may change or update numbers, so confirm accuracy.

• Add Seasonal Notes: For example, during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, distribute a slightly updated version as part of outreach.

Building Trust Through Consistency

Clients recognize when you go beyond policy comparisons. A mental health resources sheet demonstrates empathy, awareness, and a commitment to their well-being. By delivering this tool consistently, you reinforce trust that goes far beyond enrollment season.

Trust also grows when clients share your sheet with family or friends. The fact that your contact information is included means referrals can happen organically.

Bringing It All Together

Creating a mental health resources sheet is not just about filling a page with numbers and websites. It is about curating the right balance of coverage details, emergency support, and provider access guidance in a way clients can actually use. When done well, your sheet becomes a trusted reference that clients will keep visible in their homes and pass along to loved ones.

If you want to strengthen your professional edge, start with this sheet as a cornerstone of your client communication. Your Medicare clients deserve clarity and care, and you have the opportunity to deliver both.

Helping Agents Succeed With Tools That Clients Value

The time you spend building a thoughtful resource sheet translates directly into stronger client relationships and long-term growth. This kind of material sets you apart in a crowded field. If you are ready to access more strategies and professional tools like this, sign up with BedrockMD. We provide resources, training, and support to help independent licensed agents like you deliver exceptional value to every client.