Inpatient Hospital Stays for Treatment of Alcoholism

Medicare covers inpatient hospital stays for alcohol detoxification when medical complications or the need for continuous physician presence/equipment require a hospital level of care, and covers inpatient alcohol rehabilitation only when inpatient care is medically necessary (e.g., failed outpatient rehab or need to manage concomitant conditions) and psychiatric 'active treatment' criteria are met. Typical expected durations are 2–3 days for detox (occasionally up to 5) and 16–19 days for rehabilitation, with combined detox/rehab generally reasonable for about 3 weeks; extensions or readmissions require physician documentation justifying continued inpatient care.

"Inpatient hospital detoxification is covered when there is a high probability or occurrence of medical complications during alcohol withdrawal that necessitate constant availability of physicians a..."