Medicare Inpatient Rehab & Medicare Coverage?

Yes, Medicare will often cover the costs of these services for eligible people. Read on to find out how Medicare can help you if you’re elderly or disabled and in need of addiction rehab services.

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Medicare is a federal health insurance program available to older American citizens and some disabled individuals. In order to be eligible for Medicare, a person must be over the age of 65, eligible for Social Security benefits, or eligible for disability benefits.

Are you looking for health insurance that covers addiction treatment? One of your options can be Medicare. Along with covering routine medical procedures and services, Medicare also typically pays for drug or alcohol rehab. We review what kind of Medicare coverage you can expect when seeking drug or alcohol rehab. Then, we invite your questions about Medicare for rehab at the end.

What Does Medicare Cover For Rehab?

The short answer to this is: Yes, Medicare can cover the cost of drug or alcohol rehab, since it falls under the broad category of mental health services. However, like any medical insurance plan, there may be limitations on what types of services you can receive. Keep in mind these considerations when looking to Medicare for rehab:

  • Medicare Part A only covers hospital stays, so it will only cover inpatient drug or alcohol rehab.
  • Medicare Part B, on the other hand, covers outpatient drug or alcohol rehab.
  • If you need coverage for any prescription medications during drug or alcohol treatment, you’ll need to be enrolled in Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs.
  • Medicare may not cover all of your treatment, however; some of the costs of drug or alcohol treatment may need to be covered either by you or a supplemental health insurance.

How do you find drug or alcohol rehab that accepts Medicare? Once your Medicare coverage kicks in, you can then start looking for a facility that accepts Medicare coverage for drug or alcohol rehab. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using the substance abuse treatment facility locator on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website at SAMHSA.gov. Simply search for facilities in your area, and narrow your search only to facilities that accept Medicare coverage for drug or alcohol rehab.

Medicare Coverage For Drug or Alcohol Rehab

When do you qualify for Medicare coverage for drug or alcohol rehab?

Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment typically happens automatically once you turn 65 and begin to collect Social Security benefits. You’ll typically receive your Medicare enrollment cards in the mail shortly before your birthday and coverage begins the first day of your birth month.

In some cases, however, you may need to enroll in Medicare yourself in order to take advantage of Medicare coverage for drug or alcohol rehab. To do this, you can apply online at the Social Security Administration website, call the Social Security Administration, or visit your local Social Security office. Keep in mind, though, that there are specific enrollment periods in which you can sign up for Medicare.

Does Medicare Pay For Substance Abuse?

Navigating the world of Medicare and its benefits is often a confusing and intimidating task. The important thing to remember, though, is that you’re not alone. Social Security professionals will often be more than willing to help you get the benefits you, as will most drug or alcohol rehab facilities.

As always, we’re also here to help. If you have any Medicare for drug or alcohol rehab questions or concerns, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. We strive to help all of our readers combat their substance abuse problems and get on the road to recovery. And if you have no health insurance, you’re not out of options for rehab since there are ways to get addiction treatment without insurance.

Reference Sources: Social Security: Frequently Asked Questions
WebMD: Health Care Reform:Health Insurance & Affordable Care Act
Medicare: When you first get Medicare
Medicare: Mental health care (inpatient)
Medicare: Mental health care (outpatient)
Open Minds: Does Medicare Pay For Addiction Treatment Services?
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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