Yes, for many kinds of care. Medicare covers hospital stays, outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, and opioid treatment programs, including methadone. Stand-alone residential rehab isn’t on Medicare’s list, so check before counting on it. Costs depend on whether they have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare covers people 65 and older, and some younger people with a disability, end-stage kidney disease or ALS.1 If a rehab won’t take Medicare, other covered care exists. Before you commit, use our 10 questions to call the plan yourself.
What addiction treatment does Medicare cover?
Medicare covers care from screening and counseling up to hospital stays, but its list of covered services doesn’t include stand-alone residential rehab.2 Here is what Original Medicare pays in 2026.
| Type of care | Which part | What your loved one usually pays |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly alcohol screening, plus up to 4 brief counseling sessions for alcohol misuse (not dependence) | Part B | $0 if the provider accepts assignment3 |
| Outpatient counseling, therapy, family counseling, medication management | Part B | 20% after the $283 yearly deductible, plus a possible hospital copay45 |
| Intensive outpatient program (at least 9 hours a week) | Part B | 20% of professional fees, plus daily coinsurance at a hospital or community mental health center6 |
| Partial hospitalization (at least 20 hours a week) | Part B | 20% of professional fees, plus daily coinsurance7 |
| Hospital inpatient care, general or psychiatric | Part A, plus Part B for doctors | $1,736 deductible per benefit period, then $0 a day for days 1–60, plus 20% for doctors’ services8 |
| Opioid treatment program (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, counseling) | Part B | No copayment at an enrolled program; the Part B deductible applies9 |
| Pharmacy prescriptions such as buprenorphine or naloxone, if the plan covers them | Part D | Varies by plan; yearly out-of-pocket cap of $2,100 in 202695 |
Partial hospitalization is covered only if the provider certifies your loved one would otherwise need inpatient care, and the doctor and program accept Medicare’s approved amount as full payment (“assignment”).7 For intensive outpatient care, your loved one doesn’t need to qualify for inpatient treatment.6 See how PHP and IOP differ day to day.
Does Medicare pay for residential rehab?
Usually not. Stand-alone residential rehab isn’t on Medicare’s list of covered services.2 Ask any residential program whether it bills Medicare, and get the answer in writing.
If a clinician says your loved one needs 24-hour care, ask about a hospital admission. Part A covers inpatient care in a general or psychiatric hospital, though it pays for only 190 days in a psychiatric hospital over a lifetime.8
People who have been drinking heavily for a long time, or taking benzodiazepine sleeping or anxiety pills for weeks or months, should not stop suddenly on their own.1718 Talk to a doctor first, and read why sudden withdrawal can be dangerous. Mixing alcohol with sleep, anxiety or opioid pain medicines can be deadly.10 If someone won’t wake up or is struggling to breathe, call 911 and, if opioids could be involved, give naloxone. See what to do right now.
What will it cost under Original Medicare?
Expect a monthly premium, a deductible and 20% of most outpatient bills, with no yearly cap. In 2026:5
- Part B premium: $202.90 a month for most people, more at higher incomes.
- Part B deductible and coinsurance: $283 a year, then usually 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
- Part A hospital stay: $434 a day for days 61–90 of a benefit period, after the deductible.
- No yearly out-of-pocket limit. A Medigap policy, Medicaid, or employer, retiree or union coverage can help pay what Medicare doesn’t.11
New to terms like coinsurance? Our guide to how insurance pays for treatment explains them.
How is a Medicare Advantage plan different?
A Medicare Advantage plan must cover every medically necessary service Original Medicare covers, but it can add rules. It may require in-network providers, referrals or approval in advance (prior authorization), and each plan sets a yearly limit on what you pay.11
For opioid treatment, an Advantage plan may require an in-network program and charge copayments.9 If your loved one joins an Advantage plan during opioid treatment, their program must take both Medicare and the new plan, or they may have to switch programs.9
Dana’s father, 71, has been drinking more since her mother died. A residential program says it doesn’t take Medicare. Dana takes him to his primary care doctor, who refers him to a hospital-based intensive outpatient program. Before he starts, she confirms the program bills Medicare and asks what he’ll owe per day.
What if they have Medicare and Medicaid, or a low income?
They may pay far less, or nothing. People with both Medicare and Medicaid pay nothing for opioid treatment services they get through their state Medicaid program.9 Medicaid may also cover services Medicare doesn’t.2 See how Medicaid covers addiction treatment.
If money is tight, apply for a Medicare Savings Program through your state. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program pays Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. For 2026, federal limits for one person are $1,350 a month in income and $9,950 in resources. Some states allow more, so apply even if unsure.12
How do we find a program that takes Medicare?
Search Medicare.gov’s provider finder or FindTreatment.gov, a federal listing of state-licensed programs.2 For free help with coverage and appeals, find your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at shiphelp.org.14 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays.15
Where should we start with Medicare?
InteractiveHas a clinician recommended a type of care?
See possible outcomes
- Start with an assessment Their primary care doctor is a good first stop.
- Ask whether it bills Medicare Medicare doesn’t list stand-alone residential rehab. Ask whether a hospital stay or day program could meet the need.
- Find a Medicare-enrolled program Ask if it accepts assignment and what the daily coinsurance will be.
- Call the plan first Ask if the program is in network, if prior authorization is needed, and the copay.
- Use both cards Show both cards at every visit.
- Check the card, or call Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or a free SHIP counselor.
Questions to ask a program about Medicare
Common misconceptions
Medicare doesn’t cover addiction treatment.
Tap to see the factsIt covers screening, counseling, day and intensive outpatient programs, hospital care and opioid treatment programs.2
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover detox?
Does Medicare cover naloxone?
Does Medicare cover telehealth addiction treatment?
Often, yes. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth from anywhere in the U.S., including home, and outpatient psychotherapy is included.13 A provider may be able to start buprenorphine for opioid use disorder without an in-person exam.9 See medications that treat addiction.
What if Medicare or the plan denies care?
Your loved one can appeal, and a family member can be named as their representative. If a hospital stay or other covered services are ending too soon, they have the right to a fast appeal.14 Learn how to challenge a denial.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Get started with Medicare. medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Mental health & substance use disorders. medicare.gov/coverage/mental-health-substance-use-disorder — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling. medicare.gov/coverage/alcohol-misuse-screenings-counseling — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Mental health care (outpatient). medicare.gov/coverage/mental-health-care-outpatient — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Costs (2026 amounts). medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Mental Health Care (Outpatient): Intensive Outpatient Program Services. medicare.gov/coverage/mental-health-care-outpatient-intensive-outpatie… — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Mental Health Care (Outpatient): Partial Hospitalization. medicare.gov/coverage/mental-health-care-outpatient-partial-hospitaliz… — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Mental health care (inpatient) (2026 costs). medicare.gov/coverage/mental-health-care-inpatient — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Services. medicare.gov/coverage/opioid-use-disorder-treatment-services — accessed Oct 2026
- NIAAA — Aging and Alcohol (updated December 2025). niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/aging-and-alcohol — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage. medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-c… — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Medicare Savings Programs (2026 limits). medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Telehealth. medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Filing an appeal. medicare.gov/providers-services/claims-appeals-complaints/appeals — accessed Oct 2026
- Medicare.gov — Contact Medicare. medicare.gov/talk-to-someone — accessed Oct 2026
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) (page updated March 2026). cms.gov/medicare/payment/opioid-treatment-program — accessed Oct 2026
- NIAAA — Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder (updated January 2025). niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alc… — accessed Oct 2026
- FDA — FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class, Drug Safety Communication (September 23, 2020). fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requiring-boxed-warning… — accessed Oct 2026