Medicaid Coverage for Addiction Treatment
Medicaid is the single largest payer for behavioral health services in the United States, covering addiction treatment for approximately 30 million enrollees. In the 40 states (plus DC) that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, childless adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level qualify — a population with disproportionately high rates of substance use disorders.
What Medicaid Covers
Medicaid covers the full continuum of addiction care: medical detoxification, inpatient residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, standard outpatient therapy, medication-assisted treatment (all three FDA-approved medications), case management, and peer support services. Coverage specifics vary by state.
Sources & References
- [1] CMS. Medicaid Benefits. 2024.
- [2] Kaiser Family Foundation. Medicaid's Role in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. 2024.
- [3] SAMHSA. Medicaid Coverage of Substance Abuse Services. 2023.