Treatment FAQ

what health ppo insurance plans cover drug abuse treatment

by Dr. Kyler Runolfsdottir MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Insurance companies such as UnitedHealth Care Group and TRICARE have PPO options for rehab addiction services. The Good Drugs Guide can help you figure out how to get your drug rehab costs paid for through your PPO insurance. For assistance, call the phone number listed above.

Full Answer

What does health insurance cover for addiction treatment?

Health insurance plans will cover treatment for substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, more Americans now have access to these forms of treatment.

What health insurance covers mental health and substance abuse?

Mental health & substance abuse coverage. All Marketplace plans cover mental health and substance abuse services as essential health benefits. Mental and behavioral health services are essential health benefits. All plans must cover: Your specific behavioral health benefits will depend on your state and the health plan you choose.

Does health insurance cover drug maintenance drugs?

The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment says, for example, that most health insurance plans cover maintenance drugs for people in recovery from addictions to heroin and other similar drugs.

Do Marketplace plans cover substance abuse treatment?

Marketplace plans must provide certain "parity" protections between mental health and substance abuse benefits on the one hand, and medical and surgical benefits on the other. This generally means limits applied to mental health and substance abuse services can’t be more restrictive than limits applied to medical and surgical services.

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What is a treatment plan for substance abuse?

A substance abuse treatment plan is an individualized, written document that details a client's goals and objectives, the steps need to achieve those, and a timeline for treatment. These plans are mutually agreed upon with the client and the clinician.

Is Drug Addiction a pre existing condition?

Is drug addiction a pre-existing condition? Drug addiction is a pre-existing condition. In the past, insurance companies used this as a reason to deny people health insurance. Therefore, when someone was going through drug addiction treatment, they typically had limits on what would be covered.

Which healthcare providers have the highest substance abuse rates?

Doctors and nurses account for some of the highest rates of addiction in the workforce....Common signs of addiction in doctors and nurses include:Unusually friendly relationship with doctors that prescribe medications.Incomplete charting or repeated errors in paperwork.More items...•

Is therapy covered by insurance?

Services such as therapist visits, group therapy, and emergency mental healthcare are typically covered by health insurance plans. Rehabilitative services for addiction are also included. Therapy can be expensive, with or without insurance.

What pre-existing conditions are not covered?

Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, as well as pregnancy. They cannot limit benefits for that condition either.

Can my doctor report drug use?

Is your doctor allowed to report you to the authorities? No. Your doctor isn't legally allowed to report drug use to the police. The only situations in which doctors can break confidentially is if there's concern about someone seriously harming themselves or others.

What profession is most likely to be an alcoholic?

As you might expect, food service workers like servers, bartenders, chefs, and restaurant managers have some of the highest rates of alcohol abuse.

What's the first stage of addiction?

Stage 1: Initiation The first stage of addiction is called initiation, during which time the individual tries a substance for the first time.

What is a PPO?

A PPO, or Preferred Provider Organization, is a health plan network of healthcare providers and doctors who provide services to those subscribed to their network. PPOs offer more flexibility and typically a larger pool of providers to choose from but may cost more, especially if you go to an out of network provider.

Do PPOs Cover Substance Abuse Treatment & Rehab?

Coverage for substance abuse services will depend on the level of treatment needed and your insurance plan. Call us today at (928) 900-2021 or get a text for information on various treatment options. Or fill in our insurance verification form to see if insurance may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab.

Take Our Substance Abuse Self-Assessment

If you’re still unsure about treatment, take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse.

How do outpatient and inpatient treatment for substance abuse work?

Outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatments are like two sides of the same coin. Both methods teach substance abusers skills that they can use in the center and beyond, but the programs are significantly different. Before you get your heart set on a residential program, you’ll want to double check that your insurance covers the program. Outpatient programs are usually not as expensive as inpatient ones because the user doesn’t live in the center or eat meals there, but your provider can tell you more about what is and isn’t covered by your policy before you schedule a check-in date.

How long does a person stay in an inpatient treatment center?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the average length of time that a person stays in an inpatient treatment center is 30 to 105 days. In comparison, those who successfully complete an outpatient program might spend more than 120 days on it. Inpatient programs are a little more discreet and confidential than outpatient ones because no one outside the private facility knows that you’re there. Your PPO might limit your stay based on your policy.

Does insurance cover drug rehab?

The cost of alcohol or drug addiction treatment may appear to be an obstacle, but we are here to help. Insurance may cover all or some of your rehab.

Does PPO Cover Addiction Treatment?

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 made substance abuse coverage a federal law. While your PPO doesn’t have to cover your rehab stay , if it offers coverage for substance abuse, it cannot impose any limits that it would unless it has those same limits on other insurance coverage.

What Types of Addiction Treatment are Covered by Insurance?

The ACA includes Essential Health Benefits (EHBs), which offers coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services, such as addiction treatment. 4, 5 Many private insurance companies are held to the same standards noted in the ACA, meaning they cover addiction treatment.

What is outpatient treatment?

Outpatient treatment allows people to engage in various treatment programs and services without living in the facility. This is a good option for a person who wants to continue working or going to school while receiving support in their recovery. Inpatient or residential care.

What is a hydrodone treatment plan?

After people choose a treatment facility and receive an assessment to address the level of care needed, a treatment plan is created to fit their individual needs. Please keep in mind that you should check with your specific insurance company and plan to find out what treatments are covered.

What is co-occurring mental health?

Co-occurring mental health conditions. This refers to mental health conditions that a person may have in addition to their addiction to a substance. For example, an individual may be struggling with depression or an anxiety disorder along with an AUD. Follow-up counseling.

What is medical detox?

Medical detox (inpatient and outpatient). This is the process of ridding the body of toxins prior to starting a treatment program. For example, an individual with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or opioid use disorder (OUD) may go through detox to be stabilized before starting further treatment. Outpatient care.

What is the number for American Addiction Centers?

Reach out to speak to one of our caring admissions navigators at (877) 336-0584 to help you start on the road to recovery.

What is OUD medication?

Some medications help those with certain substance use disorders, such as OUD, which are used to ease drug cravings and are often effective at preventing relapse. This can support people throughout their recovery while working, going to school, and/or continuing other types of treatment. 6.

What does a behavioral health plan cover?

All plans must cover: Behavioral health treatment, such as psychotherapy and counseling. Mental and behavioral health inpatient services. Substance use disorder (commonly known as substance abuse) treatment. Your specific behavioral health benefits will depend on your state and the health plan you choose. You’ll see a full list of ...

Can you put a lifetime limit on mental health insurance?

Coverage for treatment of all pre-existing conditions begins the day your coverage starts. Marketplace plans can’t put yearly or lifetime dollar limits on coverage of any essential health benefit, including mental health and substance use disorder services.

What is the best insurance for substance abuse?

The two most common healthcare plans are HMO and PPO. Substance abuse treatment and recovery may be covered by your insurance provider. Learn more about which plan, HMO or PPO, offers the best coverage: 1 HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans allow patients to choose their primary care physician and see that doctor for most of their medical needs. This allows them to form a relationship with a doctor who knows their whole health history. When seeking a specialist or physician outside of the network, a referral is needed by your primary care physician. 1 HMOs have lower or no deductibles and overall coverage is usually a lower cost than PPO. 2 Pros of HMO coverage are for those that are not seeking a specialist and healthcare providers out of their network and paying lower premiums. 2 2 PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans allow patients to see healthcare providers in and out of their network without referrals. 3 PPOs can have higher deductibles than those with an HMO plan. 2 One of the pros of PPO coverage is having the option see specialists and other healthcare providers outside of your network without a referral from your primary care physician. 2

What Mental Health Issues Are Covered by Insurance?

The legislation passed as part of the Affordable Care Act didn’t stop with addiction care. Plans were also required, as part of the legislation, to provide the same level of care for mental health concerns that they do for physical health concerns. That means plans that provide doctor visits for a foot problem for $20 must also provide doctor visits for depression for $20. The care, and the cost, must be the same. The American Psychological Association says these parity laws apply to all sorts of programs, including those provided by employers, those coming through health care exchanges, and those coming through Medicaid and CHIP.

Why should people with addictions use their insurance?

People with addictions and insurance should use their coverage to the fullest in order to get the care they need to leave addictions behind for good.

How to talk to an insurance administrator about addiction?

Talking to your insurance plan administrator by calling the number on the back of your insurance card is a great place to start.

What are the most common healthcare plans?

The two most common healthcare plans are HMO and PPO.

What is the one page summary of benefits and therapies?

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans are required to provide a one-page summary of benefits and therapies, along with their fees, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

How many people didn't have health insurance in 2014?

Now more people than ever before have health insurance. In fact, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 13% of Americans didn’t have health insurance in 2014. Everyone else had the coverage they needed to deal with health problems.

What types of insurance policies cover rehab treatment?

Each plan or policy will differ, but private insurance, employer-subsidized insurance, and the Affordable Care Act will cover rehab treatment. Under the ACA, drug addiction is not considered a pre-existing condition and treatment for it cannot be denied. For people covered under Medicaid and Medicare, the ACA also offers funding and treatment options for drug or alcohol addiction.

How does ACA coverage work?

The ACA requires addiction treatment to be as complete as any other medical procedure. Under the ACA, addiction and mental health treatment are given the same weight as any other physical ailment, also known as parity. ACA coverage includes the following:

How does coverage work with a private or employer-subsidized plan?

Full coverage isn’t necessarily guaranteed with private or employer-subsidized plans. There is never a simple, “yes or no” answer when it comes to what insurance companies in the U.S. will or will not cover. It’s crucial to investigate the insurance plan to find out what is and is not included in a particular policy. There may be certain stipulations for coverage, such as:

What is the difference between federal and state health insurance?

The difference between state and federal medical plans is based on how each state stipulates who is covered under Medicaid or Medicare. These plans are based on age, and also income for the family or household size.

Why is it important to investigate insurance?

It’s crucial to investigate the insurance plan to find out what is and is not included in a particular policy. There may be certain stipulations for coverage, such as: Many rehab facilities have professionals on staff whose job is to find out what a patient’s insurance policy will or will not cover.

What is the treatment for drug addiction?

Because of the complexities involved in the disease of drug addiction, treatment for the disorder entails many different components, including but not limited to: Treatment also includes counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, and ongoing case management . Treatment that is integrated, effective, and comprehensive isn’t something ...

Does ACA cover detox?

ACA coverage includes the following: Also, ACA insurance plans will help patients with medical detox programs. Some states also offer their own insurance programs. The difference between state and federal medical plans is based on how each state stipulates who is covered under Medicaid or Medicare.

Is addiction a mental illness?

Addiction was not truly considered a diagnosable and treatable mental illness by the U.S. medical community until about forty years ago. And while we no longer see an addict’s need to use as a failing in good judgment, stigmas still cloud the public image of people who need specialized substance abuse treatment to stop.

Is addiction a medical condition?

Addiction is legally defined as a diagnosable medical condition, but the stigma that accompanies drug or alcohol abuse has historically made it difficult to get care: families or individuals may be hesitant to push for their rights, and some health plans have financial incentives for denying treatment, so they may twist words around in a health policy in order to misrepresent what’s required of them .

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