Living with pain is challenging, but you have options. Medicare covers many services to help you manage pain safely and effectively, including physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic services, acupuncture, and chronic pain management programs.
You can better control pain if you address it early. Work with your doctor to create the right treatment plan for you. Along with Medicare-covered services, your doctor might also suggest things like meditation, tai chi, or yoga.
If your doctor prescribes pain medication, make sure to take it exactly as directed and store it safely. If you or someone you know has an opioid addiction, seek help from a health care provider. Medicare covers opioid use disorder treatment services for as long as you need them.
What’s Covered?
There are many ways to manage pain safely and effectively.
Pain management services offer treatment options that may help you manage your pain and related issues with less risk long term, like:
- Acupuncture for chronic low back pain
- Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling
- Behavioral health integration services
- Chiropractic services
- Chronic pain management and treatment services
- Depression screenings
- Mental health & substance disorder services
- Occupational therapy
- Opioid Use Disorder treatment services
- Physical therapy
Prescription pain medications covered under Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) may be effective at treating certain types of pain, especially during short-term use. If you have Part D, the plan may also have programs in place (like Medication Therapy Management Programs or drug management programs) to help you use prescription opioid pain medications more safely.
Part B will help you cover most pain management services. However, your doctor may recommend treatment options that Medicare doesn’t cover, like massage therapy.
If this happens, or if your doctor or other health care provider recommends you get services more often than Medicare covers, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and if Medicare will pay for them.