Drug addiction affects every age, race and gender. For substance abusers that are 65 years or older, Medicare is an option to pay for some if not all of their drug rehabilitation. Medicare insurance will pay for the treatment of drug addiction or alcoholism in both outpatient and inpatient settings, as long as certain requirements are met. The addict must receive treatment from a Medicare-participating facility or provider. The patient's doctor notes that the services requested are medically necessary and that the patient's doctor provides a specific recommended treatment plan. Additionally, Medicare will only cover a total of 190 days in a psychiatric hospital for the individual's entire lifetime.