Medicare does provide coverage for treatment of substance use disorders. But there are a wide variety of approaches, and Medicare pays for only the therapeutic services it considers reasonable and necessary. So it’s important to confirm with care providers, programs and pharmacies that Medicare reimburses them for their services.

Nearly 1 million Americans 65 and older were reported as living with a substance use disorder in 2018, according to federal data. Deaths attributed to opioid overdose more than doubled among those 55 and older from 2012 through 2019, as reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy nonprofit.

And provisional data released this week by the National Center for Health Statistics indicates that, overall, drug overdose deaths in the United States increased nearly 30% in 2020 from 2019.

Outpatient treatment

Medicare Part B, which covers doctor bills and related services, pays for a yearly alcohol misuse screening for people who drink but don’t meet the criteria for alcohol dependency. If your primary care doctor finds that you’re misusing alcohol, Medicare will cover four counseling sessions annually. If needed, a primary care doctor can refer you for specialized treatment.

Medicare also covers treatment of opioid use disorders. Covered services include drug testing, medication-assisted therapy (with pharmaceuticals like methadone and buprenorphine), counseling and individual and group therapy, with care coordination.

Treatment and rehabilitation services may be covered when provided by physicians, clinical psychologists and social workers, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants and certified nurse-midwives.

Inpatient treatment

If you require inpatient treatment for a substance use disorder, some of your care (including medication) will be covered by Medicare Part A, your hospital insurance, and some may be covered by Medicare Part B, for professional services provided in a general hospital or specialized psychiatric facility.

Medicare also covers services and medications provided by partial hospitalization programs. These programs, which include 20 or more hours per week of therapeutic services, are for patients with severe addiction disorders who don’t need to stay overnight in a hospital. Covered services include individual or group psychotherapy, occupational therapy and the administration of medications that can’t be self-administered.

Medicare also covers other methods of treatment for substance use disorders, including teletherapy and home care, when they’re deemed reasonable and necessary.