Does Medicare cover rehab for drug and alcohol addiction? Yes, and here’s exactly what it will pay for

Fortune December 24, 2023
Margie Zable Fisher

Substance abuse, especially of alcohol and prescription drugs, for adults 60 and over is a fast-growing health problem in the U.S.

According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2022, about 4 million people aged 65 or older (or 7%) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including 2.3 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 1.8 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD).

Older adults often feel ashamed about substance abuse and are reluctant to seek help. But help is available through Medicare coverage.

What Medicare covers for rehab

“Medicare pays for the treatment of alcoholism and substance use disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings, when medically...

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