Opinion: Congress: Close Medicare's dangerous gaps in coverage for addiction treatment

While many people immediately picture young adults when thinking about the current addiction and overdose epidemic, this crisis is affecting all generations. In fact, more than 7 million older Americans struggle with substance use disorders. Opioid use disorder, in particular, has skyrocketed among Medicare beneficiaries, with opioid overdose death rates rising higher among people 65 and older than in any other age group.

Yet Medicare does not cover non-hospital-based residential treatment for substance use disorders or outpatient treatment in many community-based treatment facilities. Nor does it provide adequate coverage for services delivered by the full range of providers who make up a significant part of the substance use disorder and mental health care workforces. That leaves many Medicare beneficiaries without access to lifesaving addiction treatment services.

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