Medicare Coverage for Addiction Treatment at AdCare

Medicare is a government-funded program that provides healthcare benefits to people 65 years old or older, or younger people with certain illnesses or disabilities.¹

People with Medicare may access addiction treatment through certain facilities like AdCare Treatment Centers in New England. This page will answer common questions regarding the use of Medicare for addiction treatment.

Does Medicare Cover Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

Yes, Medicare covers treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.² However, patients must find a treatment facility that accepts Medicare to utilize their coverage. Additionally, patients will be limited to certain treatment centers based on which type of Medicare they have.¹

AdCare Treatment Centers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts offer varying levels of care that accept either Medicare A or B.

What Types of Drug & Alcohol Rehab are Covered by Medicare?

Medicare may cover many different types of addiction treatment, including:²

• Screening for alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Inpatient care.
• Outpatient treatment.
• Day treatment.
• Opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment programs.
• Telehealth services.

The type of addiction treatment patients can get covered will depend on what kind of Medicare coverage they have and what is deemed medically necessary.

Do I Have to Pay Anything When Using Medicare for Drug Rehab?

The out-of-pocket costs incurred when using Medicare for addiction treatment may vary based on:

• The patient’s specific Medicare plan.
• The type of addiction treatment.
• Whether additional forms of insurance coverage are used.
• Whether the patient is a qualified Medicare beneficiary.

In most cases, patients will owe a deductible before Medicare pays the remainder of treatment costs. A deductible is a fixed dollar amount that must be paid each year before an insurer begins covering the costs of healthcare services.³

Unlike with some other forms of insurance coverage, length-of-stay in a rehab program is not limited by Medicare, so long as the patient pays their portion of the cost.

How to Use Your Medicare to Cover Addiction Treatment

Verify your Medicare coverage at AdCare using the confidential or call an admissions navigator at with your Medicare information. Admissions navigators can help:

• You begin the treatment admissions process.
• Explain what to expect in inpatient treatment or outpatient care.
• Answer questions about using Medicare for addiction treatment.

If your plan requires authorization from Medicare before admittance, staff at AdCare can guide you through the process of obtaining it.

Using Medicare Part A for Addiction Rehab

Medicare Part A covers hospital/inpatient treatment services, including drug and alcohol rehabilitation.⁴

AdCare Treatment Centers accept Medicare A for hospital-based addiction treatment for any length of stay, provided the patient meets the necessary medical criteria. Medicare A can be used to cover treatment at AdCare’s Worcester, Massachusetts location.

Using Medicare Part B for Addiction Rehab

Medicare B covers outpatient treatment for mental health and addiction services.⁴

AdCare accepts Medicare B for outpatient rehabilitation services, including the intensive outpatient program (IOP) and day treatment program. Outpatient treatment at AdCare is still considered a hospital-based service, as opposed to a drug and alcohol clinic.

Services covered by Medicare B include:

• Evaluation.
• Group counseling.
• Individual counseling.

Medicare B can be used to cover services at AdCare’s:

• Outpatient drug & alcohol rehab in Warwick, RI.
• Outpatient drug & alcohol rehab in Worcester, MA.

Is Addiction Treatment Free with Medicare Coverage?

As mentioned above, treatment with most Medicare plans requires paying a deductible. This applies when using Medicare A for hospital-based treatment as well as using Medicare B for outpatient care.

Patients that have secondary Mass Health (Medicaid) coverage may use this supplemental assistance to pay the deductible, resulting in no out-of-pocket costs.

How Do I Get Medicare?

Patients can sign up for Medicare 3 months before turning 65, or earlier if they have:⁵

• A disability.
• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Patients will be enrolled automatically in Medicare after applying for retirement, Social Security disability benefits, or the Railroad Retirement Board.⁶

For instructions on how to sign up for Medicare, visit the Medicare website.

Once you have enrolled in Medicare A and B, you can apply for additional coverage with Medicare C or D. These plans provide supplemental coverage from former employers or extra benefits like vision or dental benefits.⁷

Use Medicare to Get Help at AdCare

Addiction is a treatable condition and it is not too late to get help.⁸ AdCare admissions navigators are available now at to help you begin the admissions process, answer questions about the treatment provided at AdCare, how to use Medicare to pay for treatment, and other ways to pay for rehab.

Call today.