Did You Know? Medicare Covers Opioid Treatments

Asana Recovery Alumni News, September 8, 2023

Medicare Covers Some Drug Addiction Treatment

If you have insurance through Medicare, you might be happy to know that it provides coverage for a range of treatment services for recovery from addiction. Understanding what Medicare covers for opioid use disorder treatment can help you access the necessary care and support.

Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers opioid use disorder treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs. These services can include:

medication (such as methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, and naloxone) that are specifically designed to assist individuals in overcoming opioid addiction.

• substance use counseling

• individual and group therapy

• drug testing

• intake activities

• periodic assessments

Additionally, Medicare Part D, which deals with drug coverage, includes medications like buprenorphine and methadone when prescribed for opioid use disorder treatment. This means that if you require these medications as part of your recovery plan, Medicare can help cover the costs.

In certain cases, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) covers methadone when used to treat opioid use disorder during a hospital stay. While Part A coverage for methadone is specific to inpatient treatment, it is important to explore all available options with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable course of action for your individual needs.

It's worth noting that if you receive these services from an opioid treatment program provider who is enrolled in Medicare and meets other requirements, you won't have to pay any copayments. However, it's important to keep in mind that Part B still applies to supplies and medications obtained through an opioid treatment program provider.

To accommodate transportation/geographic challenges to addiction treatment, Medicare offers coverage for both in-person and virtual services as well as services provided through opioid treatment program mobile units.

To access these services, it's recommended to consult with your doctor or other healthcare provider to determine where to go for the treatment you need. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, it's important to ensure that your opioid treatment program participates with your plan and is Medicare-enrolled to ensure uninterrupted coverage. It's always a good idea to check with your plan to see if you may be required to pay a copayment for opioid treatment program services.

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Alum Spotlight

Once a month, we feature an Asana Recovery alumnus in our Alumni Newsletter and share their experience, strength and hope. If you’d like to be featured in an Alum Spotlight feature in the newsletter, please contact your admissions counselor. If you don’t have their contact info, check the list below:

Jim Bell: 405-514-2204

Kimberly Brave: 405-999-0550

Nick Ono:  949-763-0222

Sabrina Johnson: 562-889-1825

Brittany Schoelen: 949-922-0180

Krystal Smith: 949-244-6822