A new report by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council says there were more than 7,800 hospitalizations and emergency room visits for substance use and abuse among state residents aged 65 and older from 2016 through 2018, costing Medicare $26.8 million.
Alcohol made up 61 percent of the substance-related admission and ER visits, and accounted for 49 percent of the Medicare expenses. Opioids had the second highest percentages, at 22 percent of the cases and 29 percent of the costs. Sedatives were third-highest, followed by cocaine and other substances.
Of the substance-related admission and ER visits over the three years, 21 percent were overdoses.
In Indiana County, there were 23 cases of older patients either admitted or visiting the ER for substance use or abuse in the three years. That’s a rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents. The state rate was 6.1 per 1,000. Total Medicare cost in Indian County was $66,766.
Among our neighbors, Armstrong (4.5), Cambria (4.7), Clearfield (4.6) and Westmoreland (4.4) counties had higher rates than Indiana County. Jefferson County was lower, with a rate of 2.9 cases per 1,000 residents.
