Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that comes from the bite of a black-legged tick. It’s
Using Medicare data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than 88,000 adults ages 65 or older were diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease between 2016 and 2019.
Healthcare professionals typically
Medicare Part D helps cover prescription drugs, which means it should cover most of the cost of antibiotics to treat Lyme disease. However, since Part D plans are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies, you should check with your provider to see if the antibiotics are covered.
Most Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D) in their bundled plans. You should check with your Medicare Advantage provider to see if the type of antibiotics is covered.
If Lyme disease goes untreated and progresses, you may require IV antibiotics or even hospitalization. These would be covered by either Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) or Part B (medical insurance).
If you have a Part D plan, you have to meet the plan deductible. This amount can vary by plan, but it cannot exceed $590. Once you reach the deductible, you’re responsible for 25% of the Medicare-approved cost for prescriptions.
If you require treatment that would be covered by Part B, you’re required to meet the Part B deductible of $257. After this is met, you’re responsible for 20% of Medicare-approved costs.
If you require hospitalization, you will be responsible for the Part A deductible and coinsurance, depending on the amount of time you’re in the hospital. These amounts are as follows:
- Deductible: $1,676
- Days 1 to 60: $0 after the deductible is met
- Days 61 to 90: $419 per day
- After day 90: $838 per day while using lifetime reserve days, up to 60 days
- After day 150: All costs