Share Your Story to Improve Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Medicare!

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We want to hear from you! The Legal Action Center is collecting stories from people who use Medicare and who have not been able to get the substance use disorder (alcohol or drug addiction) treatment they need. If you are a friend, family member, or health care provider of someone who needs treatment, you can also answer these questions on their behalf. The stories will be used to encourage policymakers to make treatment better and easier to access.

Your name or other identifying information will not be shared with anyone. If you have questions about this form or would like to share your story in another way, please contact Deborah Steinberg at dsteinberg@lac.org.

Describe the problem(s)

The first few questions will help us understand the problem(s) you faced when trying to get substance use/addiction treatment through Medicare and whether you were able to get the treatment you needed.

What service or treatment did you try to get?

Medications for opioid or alcohol addiction treatment

Outpatient treatment (such as counseling in an office or outpatient setting)

Intensive outpatient treatment or partial hospitalization program

Inpatient facility treatment (including short-term detox)

In-person support groups

Virtual or phone support groups

Individual counseling

Residential treatment (a live-in facility providing treatment or services)

Syringe services

Other harm reduction services

Other:

What problem(s) did you face when you tried to get the service or treatment? Check all that apply.

Medicare does not cover this type of treatment

Medicare covered some of the treatment but would not cover all of it (such as additional days)

Medicare said it was not medically necessary

Treatment was delayed because my provider needed to get pre-approval or submit information

I could not find a treatment program or provider within a reasonable time and distance

Medicare denied the treatment because the program or provider was out-of-network

Medicare would not cover the right dose of my medication for alcohol or drug treatment

Medicare would not let me meet with my health care provider over the phone

Other:

Please provide any additional information about the problem.

Were you eventually able to get the treatment or services you needed?

Yes - I got everything I was trying to get

I got some of what I needed but not everything

No - I was not able to get any treatment or services

Other:

Clear selection

Please provide any additional information about how you were able or unable to get the treatment or services you needed.

For example, if Medicare covered some of the treatment, what did they cover and what did you not get? If you got the treatment but it was not covered by Medicare, how was it paid for?

When did you experience the problem(s)?

Within the past month

Within the past year

2-3 years ago

More than 3 years ago

I don't remember

Clear selection

Background Information

These questions help us understand more about your Medicare. All of the questions are optional. You may skip questions you do not want to answer. You do not have to provide your name.

Home zip code

This information is used to identify your member of Congress. When we talk to Congressional offices, it is helpful to say that someone they represent is affected by this problem. If you do not know the zip code, you can also give your town and state.

Do you use Medicare for health insurance?

Yes

I don't know

Clear selection

Do you have any other insurance in addition to Medicare?

Medicaid

Private insurance

I don't know

Other:

Clear selection

What type of Medicare do you have?

Traditional Medicare (I use my red, white, and blue Medicare card when getting health care)

Medicare Advantage/Part C (I use a private insurance card when getting health care)

Traditional Medicare with supplemental/"Medigap" insurance (I use my red, white, and blue Medicare card when getting health care, and I also use a private insurance card that pays for the rest of my health care)

I don't know

Other:

Clear selection

Additional Details/Follow Up

Last section! Tell us about yourself (or if you are answering for someone else, about the person who needs treatment). All your answers are anonymous.

We are asking these questions because we know recovery looks different for everyone. We also know age, race, gender, sexual orientation, and other social factors affect access to quality treatment, services, and recovery. Your answers will help us make sure we are reaching as many communities as possible.

Age

Race and/or ethnicity

Gender

Sexual Orientation

Type of substance use disorder

Your name

If you would like your name to be given with your story, please include it here. These stories will be shared with policy makers to make treatment better and improve access to care.

If you are filling out this form on behalf of the person who needs substance use/addiction treatment, what is your relationship to that person?

I am the person

I am a family or friend

I am the person's health care provider

Other:

Clear selection

Can we contact you if we have questions about your experience? If so, please share your contact information (phone or email).

If you do share your contact information, it will be kept confidential.

Submit

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