Drug and alcohol addiction is one of the most common mental health problems in the country. Even elderly and disabled individuals can suffer from a substance abuse problem. Fortunately, Medicare, a government health insurance program for senior citizens and the disabled, will often pay for addiction treatment services, including drug or alcohol detox. We review Medicare benefits for detox here and invite your questions about drug or alcohol detox at the end.
Does Medicare cover drug or alcohol detox?
Yes, Medicare can cover the costs of drug or alcohol detox. In fact, drug or alcohol detox generally falls under the broad category of Mental Health Services. Therefore, Medicare covers drug or alcohol rehab (in most cases).
There are a few stipulations you should be aware of when using Medicare to cover the cost of detox. For instance:
- Medicare Part A will only cover inpatient services such as inpatient detox
- Separate detox clinics may also not be covered by Medicare
- Individuals on Medicare will usually need to undergo detox in an approved general or psychiatric hospital
Medicare coverage for drug or alcohol detox
So how do you get Medicare coverage for drug or alcohol detox? Many individuals are automatically enrolled in Medicare. This usually happens when a person is receiving Social Security benefits and just before they turn 65 years old. If you dont receive your Medicare cards by the time you turn 65 years old, you may need to enrol in Medicare during the proper enrolment period. You may also be eligible for Medicare if youre receiving Social Security disability benefits as well.
Individuals can enrol in Medicare a couple of different ways. First, they can enrol online through the Social Security Administration website at SSA.gov. They can also visit their local Social Security office. Social Security professionals can also usually help Medicare recipients find facilities that accept Medicare coverage for drug or alcohol treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website also has a substance abuse treatment facility locator. This tool can be used to search for local facilities that offer detox services and accept Medicare.
Medicare for drug and alcohol detox questions
Understanding Medicare and its benefits isn’t always an easy thing to do. Keep in mind, though, that the professionals in the Social Security Administration will be willing to help you make sense of this confusing time. The same is usually true for substance abuse treatment facilities.
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