The financial toll of addiction is one even the wealthiest of addicts can always bare to afford. Addiction and financial difficulties go hand in hand, which is why for most addicts it could be difficult to afford the care they need to get better.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to seek financing for treatment. But is there a way to get treatment for free? Does insurance cover substance abuse treatment? Let’s take a look!
Financing Addiction Treatment
Not being able to afford proper care shouldn’t deter anyone from seeking recovery. After all, there are numerous ways in which addicts can seek funding for their treatment.
The majority of treatment facilities offer payment plans that addicts can qualify for regardless of their financial condition. Private funding might also be available to some.
Government programs are also available to help fund treatment like Medicaid or Medicare. Some states also have programs that provide grants or scholarships to help cover the cost of treatment.
Crowdfunding online, from friends, or family is also a viable option to seek out funding for addiction treatment.
But does insurance cover substance abuse treatment?
The simple answer is yes, it does. Many health insurance plans cover substance abuse treatment. But there are some nuances you should know before being able to apply.
Is Addiction Treatment Covered By Insurance?
Now that we know that health insurance does cover substance abuse treatment, it’s time we look at the nuances that may come with it.
Most health insurance plans provide coverage for substance abuse treatment, but the extent of coverage and out-of-pocket costs it may incur can vary. The policy and the insurance provider will be the primary influencing factors in deciding if and how the policy applies when it comes to addiction treatment.
Insurance normally covers anywhere between 30% and 100% of substance abuse treatment after the deductible is paid.
What if I Don’t Have Health Insurance for Substance Abuse Treatment?
Addiction treatment is listed as an essential coverage category in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In other words, insurance coverage for addiction treatment is mandatory in the United States.
In America, substance abuse treatment must be covered to the same extent that other medical and surgical treatments would.
Does insurance cover substance abuse treatment despite you not having a policy when you became addicted? You bet it does!
The Affordable Care Act is also another piece of legislation that protects addicts seeking treatment. Pre-existing conditions are covered under the act. This means addicts can apply for insurance and receive healthcare services, regardless of which stage of recovery they are at.
Therefore, if an addict doesn’t have insurance they are still able to go to the marketplace, seek out a policy, pay a deductible, and get into treatment.
What Type of Substance Abuse Treatment Does My Health Insurance Cover?
While insurance coverage is mandatory, not all plans are created equal. Treatment coverage will be highly dependent on the costs of the facility.
Premium plans will probably foot most of the bill, but their policies and deductibles could come at a higher cost. They may also cover treatment in luxury facilities. However, their basic counterparts might lack some of those benefits.
The best way to find out what your insurance covers is by contacting them directly. An admission counselor in a rehab facility could also help you get a better understanding of what your policy covers. This is if you prefer not to contact the insurance provider directly.
Under the Affordable Care Act, you can change your insurance plan if you are not satisfied with it, although this process may take longer.
At a minimum you could expect the following treatments to be included as part of most policies:
- Behavioral health treatments such as counseling and psychotherapy
- Mental and behavioral health inpatient services
- Substance abuse treatment such as detox and outpatient care
Which Insurance Companies Cover Substance Abuse Treatment?
Substance abuse coverage is not advertised by most providers, making it difficult for patients to understand if they are covered. However, these companies have covered substance abuse treatment in the past:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
- Aetna
- UMR
- Vela Point
- Beacon Health
- United Healthcare
- Multiplan
- Geha
- Cigna
- CoreSource
- Gilsbar
- Anthem
- Value options
Talking to an Admissions Counselor
Addicts seeking recovery might feel insecure or shy when it comes to calling their insurance company and finding out if they cover substance abuse treatment.
In such cases, addicts could opt to speak to an admissions counselor that could help guide them in understanding if they are covered or not.
The admission counselors at Veritas Detox have a wealth of expertise when it comes to dealing with insurance providers.
If you are not sure if your insurance policy covers you, then contact Veritas Detox today. Our counselors are ready to help!