The Type Of Treatment Medicare Gives Seniors For Free

If you're 65 or older, chances are you're already quite familiar with Medicare, but you might be surprised at just how much it can help you. Despite facing massive budget cuts, Medicare continues to serve over 66 million Americans. It is divided into four parts: Part A covers hospital insurance, Part B covers medical insurance, Part D takes care of prescription drugs, and Part C refers to Medicare Advantage, an alternative that allows users to find private providers.

You usually won't pay a monthly premium for Part A if you've contributed through Medicare taxes while working, but parts B, C, and D often have monthly costs depending on your plan. Your Medicare coverage also includes free benefits like mammograms, colonoscopies, and seasonal vaccinations. Another crucial type of healthcare covered is treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), which is a rising concern among seniors.

Derived from poppy plants and other synthetic sources, opioids are generally prescribed to help patients cope with pain. Drugs like morphine, tramadol, codeine, heroin, fentanyl, and methadone have opioids in them. While they can be lifesaving when used correctly, they are also highly addictive. Unfortunately, this has fueled one of the deadliest health crises in the United States. In 2017, the opioid epidemic was declared a public health emergency, and by 2023, opioids were linked to 76% of all drug overdose deaths in the country.

If you've been diagnosed with opioid use disorder, Medicare offers a variety of options, depending on your plan. Parts A and D cover specific drugs used to treat OUD, like methadone, naloxone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Part B covers many kinds of Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), which are one of the most common treatment options for those suffering from OUD. These programs are specially designed to treat patients with a blend of medication, therapy, and occasionally, hospitalization.

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, you will need to make sure that your OUD treatment provider is part of the Medicare network, and keep in mind that some treatments under Medicare Advantage may require copayments. Make sure to review all possible Medicare plans available to you in order to select the one that best suits your situation. This can help you avoid common Medicare mistakes, and access the highest possible quality of care. Also, keep in mind that according to research published in Health Affairs in September 2025, less than 40% of Medicare patients received OUD treatment that met the nationally established standards for care quality.