Senator Bob Casey introduced a bill to expand access to residential treatment facilities for seniors recovering from substance use disorders.
Why it matters: Currently, traditional Medicare does not cover non-hospital-based residential substance use care, leaving a gap in coverage for seniors battling addiction.
The details:
- The bill aims to introduce a new benefit under Medicare Part A, expanding coverage to include residential substance abuse disorder treatment options for older adults and people with disabilities.
- Drug overdose mortality among individuals aged 65 and older has more than tripled from 2000 to 2020.
- In 2022, an estimated 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries were confirmed to have a substance abuse disorder.
- Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced a companion bill in the House.
Factors like social isolation and increased exposure to psychoactive substances can contribute to the development of substance use disorders in older Americans.
What they’re saying:
- “Despite being at higher risk for developing substance use disorders, older adults suffering from addiction are often overlooked and do not have access to the full spectrum of recovery care,” said Senator Casey.
- “Substance use disorder is a crisis in every age group and in every community across our nation, and we must respond by giving Americans who are suffering a wide range of options to begin the road to recovery,” Senator Casey added.
What’s next: If passed, the Residential Recovery for Seniors Act would enable millions of seniors covered by Medicare to access comprehensive care for substance use disorders.
Full story
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced a new bill on Thursday that would expand access to care in residential treatment facilities for seniors recovering from substance abuse disorders. The legislation is in response to the growing addiction crisis among older Americans. Currently, traditional Medicare does not cover non-hospital-based care.
While Medicare Parts A, B, and D each cover different aspects of substance use disorder services, only three of the four levels of addiction treatment defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine are covered. The proposed bill aims to bridge this gap by introducing a new benefit under Medicare Part A and expanding coverage to include residential substance abuse disorder treatment options for older adults and people with disabilities.
Casey addresses Medicare gap for seniors
This measure would enable millions of seniors covered by Medicare to access comprehensive care for substance use disorders. US House Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) also introduced a companion bill on Tuesday. According to Senator Casey’s office, drug overdose mortality among individuals aged 65 and older has more than tripled from 2000 to 2020.
In 2022, an estimated 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries were confirmed to have a substance abuse disorder. Senator Casey said, “Despite being at higher risk for developing substance use disorders, older adults suffering from addiction are often overlooked and do not have access to the full spectrum of recovery care.”
This bill follows a hearing held by the Senate Special Aging Committee in December, which examined substance abuse by older adults. The proposed legislation marks a significant step towards addressing the gaps in healthcare coverage for seniors battling substance abuse issues, ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources for their recovery journey.
- Jurist.”US senator introduces legislation aiming to expand addiction treatment for seniors on Medicare”.
- GettysburgTimes.”Bill to expand care for seniors recovering from substance use disorders”.
- TriStateAlert.”Medicare coverage for seniors’ substance abuse treatment proposed by Sen. Casey”.