Medicare Now Covers Conversations About End-of-Life Care
Medicare has made discussions with health care providers about end-of-life options a covered benefit.
Read moreRecognizing the huge problems caused by opioid addiction in the United States, Medicare is adding a new outpatient opioid treatment benefit, paying for methadone and related treatment in certain facilities.
Under a new rule taking effect in January 2020, Medicare will now provide payment to opioid treatment programs (OTPs), also known as methadone clinics, as part of Medicare Part B. OTPs are the only locations where people addicted to opioids can receive methadone as part of their treatment.
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Under the new OTP benefit, Medicare covers:
For beneficiaries who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid paid for methadone treatment. Now, once the OTP is enrolled in Medicare, Medicare will become the primary payer for these beneficiaries. Medicaid should continue to cover the service during the transition. Medicare Advantage plans should also allow coverage of OTPs that are not in their network while they assist beneficiaries in transitioning to an in-network OTP.
For a fact sheet from Justice in Aging, click here.
Medicare has made discussions with health care providers about end-of-life options a covered benefit.
Read moreMedicare has increased the amount of mental health coverage beneficiaries are entitled to. After years of unequal treatment,...
Read moreAs a result of the recently passed Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Medicare Part B premiums will rise only about 15 perce...
Read moreMedicaid Rules, etc