Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers an alcohol misuse screening if you’re eligible
Description
Alcohol misuse screening tests include questions about your alcohol use. Your primary care doctor or other health care provider reviews your responses to check for alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorders.
Coverage details
If your health care provider determines you’re misusing alcohol, you can get up to 4 brief, face-to-face counseling sessions each year (if you’re competent and alert during counseling).
Who's eligible
You're an adult who uses alcohol, but you don't meet the medical conditions for alcohol dependency.
Costs
You pay nothing if your health care provider accepts assignment .
How often
Once a year.
Facility
You must get the counseling in a primary care setting (like a doctor’s office).
Ask your doctor or healthcare provider how much your test, item, or service will cost.
Your doctor may recommend services that Medicare does not cover or offers too frequently. This could end up in additional costs for you. Make sure to ask your doctor about the reasons for these recommendations and what Medicare will actually cover.
Specific amounts you could owe depend on:
Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
If your doctor accepts assignment
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service