For Medicare beneficiaries, treatment for substance use disorders is more accessible and affordable than ever before. Adults aged 65 and older tend to face a higher number of health problems than their younger counterparts, which puts them at greater risk for substance abuse and related comorbidities. If you have Medicare or qualify for Medicare benefits, your insurance plan may help you receive addiction treatment at America’s Rehab Campuses.
What Is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults aged 65 and older; however, certain younger people with disabilities and people with end-stage renal disease may also qualify for Medicare. Medicare health plans are generally offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide either Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B.
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance that provides coverage for inpatient hospital stays, hospice care, care in a nursing facility, and some home health care. Medicare Part B is medical insurance that provides coverage for outpatient care, preventive services, certain doctors’ services, and medical supplies. Some people may qualify for Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage, which is an “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare that bundles Part A and Part B. Medicare Part D offers prescription drug coverage for those who need affordable medication.
Does Medicare Cover Addiction Treatment?
Substance abuse and addiction treatment services are covered by Medicare when deemed reasonable and medically necessary. Inpatient and outpatient drug rehab, partial hospitalization programs, and drugs used to treat opioid dependence are typically covered by Medicare.
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab services may include drug detox, alcohol detox, individual therapy, group therapy, substance abuse education, relapse prevention, 12-step meetings, and aftercare planning. Many of these same services are also available with some outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
Statistics on Substance Abuse Among Adults 65 and Older
- Alcohol remains the most commonly used substance among older adults aged 65 or older, according to Clinics in Geriatric Medicine.
- Among adults aged 65 and older who use illicit drugs, 11.7% meet the criteria for a past-year substance use disorder.
- In 2014, more than 1 million adults aged 65 or older had a substance use disorder, according to SAMHSA.
- In 2014, an estimated 978,000 older adults had alcohol use disorder, while 161,000 older adults had an illicit drug use disorder.
- In 2014, 3.4 million older adults reported past-month binge alcohol use, while 772,000 reported heavy alcohol use.
- In 2014, an estimated 132,000 adults aged 65 or older reported using marijuana on an average day, while 4,300 reported regular cocaine use.
- In 2011, there were 750,529 drug-related emergency department visits by older adults aged 65 or older — 105,982 of which involved illicit drug use, polydrug use involving alcohol, or nonmedical use of prescription drugs.
ARC Accepts Most Medicare Insurance Policies
America’s Rehab Campuses accepts most insurance providers, including Medicare insurance policies. If you are 65 or older and want to know if you qualify to receive Medicare, visit the Medicare website to determine your eligibility and calculate your premium. If you are under the age of 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have received Social Security Disability Insurance checks for at least 24 months, or if you have been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease.
If you already have Medicare, Medicaid, or another insurance plan, fill out our free insurance benefits form to quickly and easily verify your plan benefits for addiction treatment. Or, call us today at 833-272-7342 to speak with one of our treatment consultants who can verify your insurance benefits for you and discuss all your available treatment options.
