WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, introduced a new bill on Thursday aimed at expanding access to residential treatment facilities for seniors recovering from substance use disorders. Currently, Medicare does not cover non-hospital-based residential substance use care. Casey’s Residential Recovery for Seniors Act seeks to address this gap, allowing millions of Medicare-covered seniors to access comprehensive care for substance use disorders. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14).
“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 Chairman Casey. “The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act will provide seniors in need of help with another option for substance use treatment. 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.”
Substance Use Disorders in Seniors
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are increasingly prevalent among older adults. Factors such as social isolation and increased exposure to psychoactive substances contribute to this rise. Mortality from drug overdoses among individuals aged 65 and older more than tripled between 2000 and 2020. In 2022, an estimated 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries had a substance use disorder, representing about 8 percent of those aged 65 and older and 2 percent of beneficiaries under 65.
Gaps in Current Medicare Coverage
Medicare Parts A, B, and D each cover some SUD services. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) outlines four levels of care for addiction treatment. Traditional Medicare has only covered the least intensive (Level 1) and the most intensive (Level 4) treatments. Starting January 2024, Medicare will include intensive outpatient services (Level 2), but non-hospital-based residential SUD treatment (Level 3) remains uncovered.
Provisions of the Residential Recovery for Seniors Act
The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act aims to fill this coverage gap by creating a new benefit under Medicare Part A to cover residential treatment options (Level 3) for older adults and people with disabilities. This expansion would allow seniors to access a full continuum of care, which is essential for effective recovery.
“Substance use disorders among seniors are on the rise, and I’ve heard from so many families who have lost older relatives to addiction,” said Representative Lauren Underwood. “This heartbreaking loss of life is preventable, and we cannot accept this as a new normal. The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act will make sure that Medicare beneficiaries are able to access high-quality addiction treatment options.”
Tackling Senior Substance Abuse with Medicare Expansion
This legislative move highlights the urgent need to address substance use disorders among seniors, a demographic often overlooked in addiction treatment discussions. By expanding Medicare coverage, the bill aims to provide older adults with the necessary resources to combat addiction, improve their quality of life, and reduce mortality rates related to substance use.
The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act represents a significant step towards comprehensive healthcare for older adults, ensuring they have access to the treatments they need to recover and thrive.
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