Medicare.gov

Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers an alcohol misuse screening if you’re eligible

  • Covered by Part B
  • Preventive Service
  • Once per year

  • You pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment

Description

Alcohol misuse screening tests include questions about your alcohol use. Your health care provider reviews your responses to check for alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorders.

Who's eligible

Adults who use alcohol, but don’t meet the medical conditions for alcohol dependency.

Costs

You pay nothing if your health care provider accepts assignment .

How often

One alcohol misuse screening each year.

If your primary care doctor or other 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).

Facility

You must get the counseling in a primary care setting (like a doctor’s office).