The news: While general complete satisfaction with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans has actually increased this year, most MA members state they do not have adequate psychological health and substance abuse disorder services, per J.D. Power’s 2022 United States Medicare Advantage Research Study.
- Just 27% of members state they have enough coverage for substance usage disorder services
- By contrast, most (91%) state they have enough coverage for regular diagnostics and preventative services (89%).
The issue: The substance abuse crisis might get much even worse over the next couple of years.
Seventy-five percent of medical professionals state they are currently worried about the abuse of opioids, according to a 2021 Mission Diagnostics report surveying 500 medical care medical professionals.
- Opioid-related deaths will likely increase in the next couple of years due to the increased blending of artificial opioids like fentanyl, per a brand-new Northwestern Medication analysis.
The larger photo: The substance abuse crisis suggests insurance coverage coverage will be need-to-have for MA members.
That’s because substance abuse in senior citizens might likewise aggravate their health results. Older grownups are most likely to experience lung issues, heart issues, and memory concerns. Drugs can aggravate these conditions and worsen the currently unfavorable results of substance abuse, per the NIH.
What’s next? We might see significant MA plans tapping recognized digital health entrants like Bike Health and Pear Rehabs to calm need for substance usage disorder services.
Virtual opioid usage disorder platform Bike Health, for instance, covers MA plans in California, Michigan, Virginia, and Washington. Its lineup currently consists of tradition insurance providers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, according to its website.
- Humana has yet to partner with Bike Health. It would not be a stretch to see them pair as the substance abuse disorder crisis magnifies.