Outpatient Hospital Services for Treatment of Alcoholism

Medicare covers outpatient hospital diagnostic and therapeutic services for alcoholism when they meet the general outpatient hospital requirements and are reasonable and necessary for diagnosis or treatment. Day hospitalization programs per se are not covered, nonmedical items (meals, transportation, recreational/social activities) are excluded, and educational or family counseling are covered only when directly related to treatment; documentation must demonstrate medical necessity and conformity with Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 6 §20 and Chapter 16 §20.

"Outpatient hospital diagnostic and therapeutic services for the treatment of alcoholism are covered when furnished to outpatients and meet the same requirements applicable to outpatient hospital se..."

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