In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic, American Addiction Foundation has created an interactive map of all 50 states with listings of treatment programs that accept Medicare and Medicaid.
Accidental overdoses are now the leading cause of death amongst Americans aged 18-45, according to the CDC. Opioids, particularly fentanyl, are the culprit in 70% of fatal overdoses.
Addiction knows no boundaries, and many lower income families are being affected by the addiction epidemic. Medicaid (including Medi-cal in California) is the most popular coverage for lower income U.S. residents. “Nearly 12 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries over 18 have an SUD,” says the Medicaid.gov site. “Medicaid is committed to helping states effectively serve individuals with SUDs."
While Medicaid covers substance abuse treatment, not all facilities accept Medicaid as a form of payment, that is where the American Addiction Foundation map will be of great use to Medicaid recipients.
Medicare, available to anyone over 65 years old (and many others with disabilities), can cover the costs of inpatient and outpatient drug rehabilitation. The senior population is also experiencing record opioid (and alcohol) abuse and addiction. These substance use disorders (SUDs) have been exacerbated by the isolation brought on by the pandemic.
According to the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Medicare will cover a wide spectrum of addiction treatment services including:
- Psychotherapy
- Patient education regarding diagnosis and treatment
- Post-hospitalization follow-up
- Out-patient prescription drugs
- Inpatient prescription drugs including Methadone
- Structured Assessment and Brief Intervention (SBIRT)
But, like Medicaid, not all addiction treatment facilities accept Medicare. Once again, this is where The American Addiction Foundation interactive map will be helpful.
The interactive map can be found at: https://www.americanaddictionfoundation.com/medicare-finder/.
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 499894