Fair Square Medicare Wordmark

Does Medicare Pay for Antivenom?

Rattlesnake biting on a hiker's boot stock image

By Daniel Petkevich

Dec 6, 2022

If you need it, you've got coverage

Note: if you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact 911 immediately and seek medical attention.

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

One of the most rare but most costly expenses you could find yourself saddled with after an outdoor excursion is an antivenom to treat a poisonous bite. This potentially lifesaving treatment can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Will Medicare help pay for it? Yes, Medicare covers necessary healthcare expenses, and antivenom is no exception.

What is antivenom?

Antivenom is made of antibodies created from a poisonous animal's venom. It's an effective treatment for bites or stings from spiders, scorpions, snakes, and other potentially deadly creatures. As soon as possible after the bite or sting occurs, patients should seek medical attention right away to reduce symptoms and prevent further health complications.

How do you know if a venomous snake or insect has bitten you?

Many venomous creatures have distinct physical characteristics that can help you identify them. Snakes, for example, may have a triangular head and a patterned body or yellowish eyes. Scorpions may be identified by their long tail with a stinger on the end. Spiders may have an hourglass-shaped design on their back. However, not all venomous creatures are easy to identify, so if you feel pain or discomfort after a bite or sting, seek medical help immediately.

What are the costs associated with getting treatment for a snake bite?

The cost of antivenom treatment can vary depending on the type of venom and how much antivenom is needed. Generally, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars for a single dose, but some treatments may require multiple doses. Additionally, there are other costs associated with getting treated for snake bites, such as hospitalization fees, laboratory tests, and doctor visits.

Does Medicare cover the cost of antivenom?

Yes, Medicare Part A or B will cover the necessary costs of treating a venomous bite or sting, including antivenom. Specifically, Part A will be your source of coverage if you are admitted as an inpatient in an emergency room setting. If you are quickly released as an outpatient, Part B covers 80 percent of the costs associated with medically necessary treatments related to a venomous bite or sting. However, you may need to provide some out-of-pocket costs, such as co-pays and coinsurance.

It's important to remember that Medicare coverage for antivenom may vary depending on the type of venom you were exposed to and your overall health. Be sure to contact your local Medicare office for more information about specific coverage details.

How to get help if you're bitten by a snake while traveling in the United States:

If you're bitten by a venomous snake while traveling in the United States, contact 911 immediately and seek medical attention. Medicare will cover your necessary healthcare costs related to the bite or sting, including transportation to an emergency facility if needed. Additionally, Medicare also covers all medically necessary treatments related to the incident, including antivenom.

What to do if you're bitten by a snake while traveling abroad:

If you're bitten by a venomous snake while traveling abroad, contact the nearest medical facility right away. Medicare does not typically cover medically necessary treatments for injuries or illnesses that occur outside of the United States, except for medical emergency situations. You may also want to contact your travel insurance provider to see what kinds of coverage they may offer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, antivenom is a vital treatment for venomous bites and stings. Medicare covers the necessary costs associated with this treatment, but it's important to keep in mind that coverage details may vary depending on your situation. This content is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions about Medicare coverage, give us a call at Fair Square Medicare.

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

Recommended Articles

Seattle Public Market stock image

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Seattle

Mar 10, 2023

Gloved hands with a scalpel begin a knee replacement surgery

Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?

Jan 11, 2023

HIFU treatment stock image

Is HIFU Covered by Medicare?

Nov 21, 2022

Emergency section of a hospital exterior stock photo

How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?

Nov 21, 2022

Model of the lungs with the diseased part. Cancer or Ground glass opacity GGO. stock photo

Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?

Nov 23, 2022

Cover image

How to Become a Medicare Agent

Aug 30, 2023

Cover image

Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?

Jun 12, 2023

stack of books stock image

Do You Need Books on Medicare?

Apr 6, 2023

Medicare Enrollment Periods stock image

Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare

Feb 3, 2023

Cover image

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Medicare

Jan 24, 2024

senior man reaching to his ear with jumbled letters going into the ear stock image

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Nov 9, 2022

Mouth guard used to help treat sleep apnea

Does Medicare Cover Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea?

Dec 8, 2022

air purifier stock image

Does Medicare Cover Air Purifiers?

Nov 18, 2022

Cover image

What People Don't Realize About Medicare

Mar 27, 2023

Happy senior man and dentist assistant talking during appointment at dental clinic. stock photo

Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors

Jan 4, 2023

a variety of pills in a daily pill organizer stock image

Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?

Dec 5, 2022

Caucasian nurse holding spine model against the patients backs. Clinic interior. stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Kyphoplasty?

Dec 9, 2022

Senior woman fretting in front of her laptop stock photo

How Medicare Costs Can Pile Up

Oct 11, 2022

More of our articles

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Columbus

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Phoenix

14 Best Ways to Stay Active in Charlotte

20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent

2024 Cost of Living Adjustment

2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report

Building the Future of Senior Healthcare

Can I Change My Primary Care Provider with an Advantage Plan?

Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?

Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?

Can I switch From Medicare Advantage to Medigap?

Can Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions?

Do All Hospitals Accept Medicare Advantage Plans?

Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Dental and Vision?

Does Medicare Cover Abortion Services?

Does Medicare Cover Cardiac Ablation?

Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Cervical Disc Replacement?

Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover COVID Tests?

Does Medicare cover Deviated Septum Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Exercise Physiology?

Does Medicare Cover Hepatitis C Treatment?

Does Medicare Cover Hoarding Cleanup?

Does Medicare cover Hyoscyamine?

Does Medicare Cover Ilumya?

Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?

Does Medicare Cover Mental Health?

Does Medicare Cover Nexavar?

Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?

Does Medicare Cover Physicals & Blood Work?

Does Medicare Cover Qutenza?

Does Medicare Cover Scleral Lenses?

Does Medicare Cover Service Animals?

Does Medicare Cover SI Joint Fusion?

Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?

Does Medicare Cover TENS Units?

Does Medicare Cover Tymlos?

Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?

Does Medicare Pay for Allergy Shots?

Does Medicare Pay for Bunion Surgery?

Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?

Estimating Prescription Drug Costs

Fair Square Bulletin: We're Revolutionizing Medicare

How Are Medicare Star Ratings Determined?

How Can I Get a Replacement Medicare Card?

How Do I Sign up for Medicare? A Simple How-To Guide For You

How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?

How Much Does a Medicare Coach Cost?

How Much Does Medicare Cost?

How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost in 2025?

How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost in 2025?

How Much Does Trelegy Cost with Medicare?

How Much Does Xeljanz Cost with Medicare?

How to Apply for Medicare?

How to Choose a Medigap Plan

How to Compare Medigap Plans in 2025

How to Enroll in Social Security

How Your Employer Insurance and Medicare Work Together

Last Day to Change Your Medicare Part D Plan

Medicare & Ozempic

Medicare Advantage MSA Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65

Medicare Consulting Services

Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025

Seeing the Value in Fair Square

Top 10 Physical Therapy Clinics in San Diego

What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?

What is the Medicare ICEP?

What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued

Which Medigap Policies Provide Coverage for Long-Term Care?

Your Medicare One-Stop-Shop

Your guide to Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap. 100% free.

Get the Fair Square Bulletin

Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans

Fair Square 2025

Terms of Use
Notice of Privacy Practices

Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M

Fair Square Medicare

FSM symbol - 50