How Can I Afford Addiction Treatment? Follow the Guide to Drug and Alcohol Rehab Insurance

Addiction treatment can be expensive. In fact, cost is one of the single biggest concerns that many treatment seekers have. Luckily, health insurance covers many addiction treatment services, making them more widely affordable to addiction sufferers. This guide to drug and alcohol rehab insurance will explain the basics for you as you begin your healing journey.

What Types of Insurance Cover Drug and Alcohol Rehab

In the United States, the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) requires that private health insurance cover mental health and addiction treatment services, although there are a number of limitations. Additionally, there are a number of government insurance programs that provide drug and alcohol rehab coverage.

There are numerous differences between every plan and provider, but there are some general differences between private insurance and public insurance. The primary differences include eligibility, coverage, cost, access, and quality of care. In general, government plans are more limited in the range of options and choices available compared to private insurance plans.

Private Insurance Companies that Provide Drug and Alcohol Rehab Coverage

• Aetna (CVS Health)
• Anthem
• Beacon Health Options
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Centene
• Cigna
• Elevance Health (Formerly Anthem)
• HCSC (Healthcare Services Corporation)
• Highmark
• Humana
• Independence Health Group
• Intermountain Healthcare
• Kaiser Foundation
• Magellan
• Molina Healthcare
• PacificSource
• Presbyterian Healthcare Services
• UnitedHealth Group
• Wellmark

Government Insurance Programs that Provide Drug and Alcohol Rehab Coverage

• Medicaid
• Medicare Part A
• Medicare Part B
• The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
• Various State and Territory Programs
• Various City and County Programs

What Drug and Alcohol Rehab Services Does Insurance Cover?

Insurance covers a wide variety of drug and alcohol rehab services. However, the exact coverage can vary widely from plan to plan. For example, deductibles for the same service may be different by several thousand dollars on two different plans. For this reason, it is highly advisable that you consult with your provider before seeking rehab, although most facilities will be able to contact your insurance.

Despite these differences, there are a number of drug and alcohol rehab services that are frequently covered by both private and government insurance. Most plans cover both inpatient rehab, where the patient stays at a residential facility while attending treatment programs, and outpatient rehab, where the patient resides elsewhere but attends treatment programs during the day. Most plans also cover treatment medications and therapy.

Inpatient Rehab Services Covered by Insurance

• Detox
• Therapy
• Medical Care
• Housing

Outpatient Rehab Services Covered by Insurance

• Therapy
• Counseling
• Support Groups

Treatment Medications Covered by Insurance

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine
• Antabuse
• NarCan
• Benzodiazepines

The Process of Paying for Rehab with Insurance

Because every insurance company or government program has its own specific and unique processes, it is impossible to make a single tell all guide. However, there are a number of steps that will be so similar to most that it is advisable that treatment seekers at least attempt them.

Get in Contact with Your Insurance Provider

It is often very beneficial to contact your insurance provider before you start seeking treatment. You will then know exactly what services are covered and what your out-of-pocket costs will be. You can then weed out treatment facilities that will not match your needs before you even contact them.

Get Pre-Authorization from Your Insurance Provider.

Some insurance plans require that their members get pre-authorization before they receive drug and alcohol rehab services or the provider will not pay for those services.

Verify Your Insurance

Better Addiction Care can help you verify your insurance.

Seek Assistance from a Healthcare Provider or Advocate

If you are struggling with the process of paying for drug and alcohol rehab and need a guide, please seek assistance from a healthcare provider or advocate.  It is very important to start the rehab process off with a clear mind and to continue it with as little stress as possible. One of the easiest ways to do that is to avoid any insurance hassles.

Contact a Treatment Provider

The only way to know for sure if you and your insurance will be accepted into a specific treatment center is to contact that facility. Better Addiction Care has a drug and alcohol rehab directory that you can check out to find some options, or you can call (800) 429-7690 for help.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide to Paying for Drug and Alcohol Rehab with Insurance

• Do I still have to pay anything out of pocket? Yes, there are often deductibles, copays, and other fees that must be paid out of pocket.
• Does insurance cover everything? No, there are many aspects of rehab, such as some types of therapy or alternative treatments that will not be covered by all plans.
• Are the requirements the same for rehab as other medical services? No, many insurance providers add extra levels of scrutiny for rehab services, such as requiring pre-authorization of services, or only covering a limited number of days of treatment.

Looking to Pay for Rehab with Insurance?

You don’t have to wait another minute to make your life better. The time to make a change is now. If you are seeking treatment and want to pay with insurance, contact a Better Addiction Care affiliate by calling (800) 429-7690.