Drug Rehabilitation and Insurance Coverage

You can find out if your health insurance plan offers drug rehab coverage by contacting your insurer’s patient services representative. Contact information usually appears on the back of the insurance card or on the company’s website. When contacting a patient services representative, it is often helpful to be specific about the type of treatment you need. It can also be beneficial to plan ahead in order to get the maximum level of benefits. Some services may not be covered unless a physician recommends them.

Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Costs

You can often avoid unnecessary surprises by finding out if your insurance plan covers inpatient rehab services. It can also help to ask questions about your insurance benefits regarding the length of stay and prescriptions. If you are seeking outpatient treatment, you may want to find out if a copayment would be required for each visit. Some plans also require that a certain dollar amount, or deductible, be paid before services are covered by the insurance.

Provider Network and Rehabilitation Coverage

Most insured Americans are covered by a type of health insurance called preferred provider organizations (PPOs). PPOs offer patients the option to choose providers inside or outside of a network. The insurer commonly covers the cost of around 80 percent of in-network services and around 60 percent of out-of-network services. Most insurers maintain a list of in-network providers online. It may be helpful to refer to this list before choosing a rehab center and therapist.

Rehabilitation Coverage Affected by State and Federal Laws

During the past decade, mental health advocates have supported laws that encourage insurers and employers to provide more complete coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. While insurance coverage for rehab varies by state, there is a growing trend to match the level of coverage that is offered for physical issues. This move to create parity between rehab coverage and physical health care coverage received a boost in 2008 with the passage of a parity law known as the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. 2010’s Affordable Health Care Act also included stipulations to increase mental health coverage and affordability.

Finding Rehabilitation Help for Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please call our toll-free helpline now. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you may have about contacting your insurance company about rehab coverage. We can help individuals overcome addiction with the emotional and physical support that can provide lasting recovery. Please call now.

What Happens in Short-term Inpatient Rehabilitation?

There are two basic types of inpatient rehab, short-term and long-term. Short-term rehab lasts anywhere from four to six weeks and include a number of service. They usually begin with an initial time of medically supervised detox. After detox, patients go through both individual and group counseling along with other types of therapy to help them deal with their addiction. This type of treatment can cost thousands of dollars since patients receive lodging, meals and 24 hour medical care if needed.

What Happens in Long-term Inpatient Rehabilitation?

Long-term inpatient rehab is a more high-end type of rehab program. These programs can last from three months up to a year. Long-term inpatient rehab is the most expensive simply because of the length of the stay. Typically these rehab programs last from three to six months depending on the patient and the facility.

How to Pay for Inpatient Rehabilitation

Managing the cost of inpatient rehab depends largely on available health insurance. Most health insurance policies cover up to 90 days of inpatient rehab. Some health insurance plans require a doctor’s referral for both inpatient and outpatient rehab. The best way to manage the cost of inpatient rehab is to check with your insurance company prior to being admitted. Most rehab facilities have counselors that can tell you if they accept your insurance and how much it will help you financially. Another way to approach the cost of rehab is to get a list of rehab facilities that accept your insurance and work with your doctor or therapist to determine which one is the best choice for you. In either case, it’s important to know your out-of-pocket costs before entering a rehab facility so drug rehab won’t be interrupted with conversations about price.

Help Finding Inpatient Rehabilitation

If you or a loved one struggles with drug addiction, we are here to help. Call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline anytime to find an inpatient rehab facility that meets your needs.

Will My Parents Discover My Addiction if I Use Our Insurance for Treatment?

Insurance companies are required to inform the policy holder of all transactions related to that insurance account. If a parent or guardian is the policy holder for a child’s insurance, he or she will receive a bill or statement that may identify when the insurance was used, the name of the doctor, the location of the office and the medication prescribed. Insurance statements often do not provide many specific details, but a parent would have the ability to call the doctor’s office and research to find out what type of claim was made. If a child on the parent’s policy is over the age of 18, a doctor cannot discuss any details with anyone other than the patient due to HIPAA law.

Will My Employer Discover My Addiction through Insurance Claims?

Drug rehab health records are kept confidential unless a patient specifically provides written consent for the release of his medical records to a third party. If the claim is filed under an employer’s insurance plan, however, the claims will be visible to the employer. Fortunately for recovering addicts, many laws exist to protect employees from discriminatory practices. Addicts who do not seek treatment are more vulnerable to being fired than those who are actively pursuing recovery. Certain privacy laws can also protect an employee’s health records from being viewed by a third party as long as the employee is receiving treatment. Some employers even offer employees time off for necessary medical treatment. Recovering addicts can benefit from understanding their insurance coverage, employee benefits and how to take advantage of their privacy rights.

Confidential Addiction Treatment Help

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please call our toll-free helpline now. We understand your desire to keep your addiction private from others. Addiction is personal and, as long as you are determined to find recovery, you do not need to widely share that information until you are ready to do so. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions about addiction, treatment, insurance coverage and how your information can be kept confidential. Please call now.

Addiction Treatment Options

The following are some of the many treatment options that can help you get past addiction:

• Individual counseling
• 12-step support groups
• Outpatient treatment
• Inpatient residential treatment
• Sober living support

For each of these treatment options you need to identify the costs associated with the following factors:

• Getting to and from treatment
• Pre-admissions requirements and any associated costs
• Admission processes and costs

Fees that cover each component of treatment, which include the following services:

• Housing and food
• Complimentary treatment such as massage, yoga, equine therapy and so forth
• Miscellaneous expenses associated with personal accessories and other personal needs

Be as thorough as possible when getting this information from your treatment facility so you can discuss all costs with your insurance company.

How Health Insurance Works

Just because you have health insurance does not mean it will pay for the full duration of treatment. Many insurance companies cover a specific list of treatments and services. Be sure to check this list carefully and understand how your company may limit their payment for each and every service.
After you understand what services your insurance company will pay for, you need to take it a step further: research how to get your health benefits approved and what the claims process is for your insurance company. In some cases, you will be responsible to pay certain fees upfront and then get reimbursed for those expenses; in other cases, the treatment facility can bill the insurance company directly. You do not want to get trapped in the middle simply because you did not do your homework. Your goal is to make sure that the services you need are medically required, covered by your insurance policy and are doctor-recommended.

Help Finding Affordable Addiction Rehabilitation

Finding the right rehab facility to meet your needs or the needs of someone you love can be an overwhelming experience. You may want help finding the most appropriate rehab facility for you. Making sure that you can pay for the treatment is also very important. We can help, so please call our toll-free helpline today. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about rehab expenses. We are here to help.

How Much of My Addiction Rehabilitation Costs Will Be Covered under Insurance?

Addiction requires professional treatment for individuals to manage their addictive tendencies and maintain long-term sobriety. Professional addiction rehab has been proven to lead to successful recovery. How much of this treatment will be covered by insurance depends on individual insurance policies. Some insurance companies will pay the entire bill, after a deductible has been met, and others will pay for certain pre-qualifying portions of treatment or certain aspects of treatment. An addict should never settle, when it comes to finding treatment for addiction. Most insurance companies and addiction counselors will work with individuals to find affordable options that do not sacrifice the quality of treatment.

What If My Insurance Doesn’t Cover Rehabilitation or I Don’t Have Insurance At All?

If your insurance policy does not cover addition treatment or you are without health insurance coverage, there are still options available to make addiction rehab affordable. Possible financial options include scholarships from nonprofit organizations, cash discounts from rehab centers, attending public treatment centers or applying for government funding. Some rehab centers offer sliding-scale costs or affordable payment plans. There are a number of nonprofit programs that offer patient aid or no- or low-interest loan assistance to those in need. Government assistance is limited but still available to those who qualify.

Addiction treatment is not a luxury or an option. Addiction treatment is essential to achieving lasting sobriety. Battling long-term addiction alone, paying for medical treatment related to drug abuse, relapsing and spending money on drugs will cost a significant amount more than paying for quality rehab treatment the first time around.

Find out If Your Insurance Policy Covers Addiction Rehabilitation

If you or a loved one is in need of addiction treatment or feels overwhelmed with cost concerns, we can help. Call our toll-free helpline, and let our compassionate and experienced counselors assess your addiction needs and help you find a treatment program that you can afford. Whether you have questions about insurance coverage or need information about treatment programs, we can help.

Private Insurance Coverage of Addiction Recovery

Coverage for addiction treatment varies widely and is subject to state laws. Many insurance providers cover treatment for substance abuse, which is defined as a mental illness by both the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association. The federal Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 requires insurance providers to provide an equal level of coverage (parity) for mental illness as for physical conditions. However, certain loopholes allow insurance companies to maintain coverage at levels that existed prior to the law, or to exclude benefits for substance abuse treatment. And, of course, insurance carriers who do not offer coverage for mental health are exempt.

In response, some states attempt to to increase mental health insurance parity, but these efforts have met resistance from the insurance industry. To date only nine states—Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington—have laws requiring full parity for insurance coverage of substance abuse treatment. These laws require equal coverage in terms of inpatient and outpatient treatment, co-payments and annual and lifetime dollar limits. Two states—Idaho and North Carolina—offer full parity for substance abuse in state employees’ health plans. Check the provisions of your particular insurance plan to determine if and to what extent you are covered for substance abuse treatment.

Medicaid and Federal Block Grants for Addiction Recovery

Federal, state and local governments subsidize treatment for substance abuse, with state governments being the largest single purchaser of treatment services. Statistics provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) indicate that 76% of the money spent on substance abuse treatment comes from the public sector, with approximately 40% of that provided by the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant to states. Various federal agencies, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to the Department of Defense, also provide block grants to states for substance abuse treatment.

Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, social security income (SSI) and social security disability insurance (SSDI) all have provisions for substance abuse treatment. However, in 1996 the Contract with America Advancement Act eliminated addiction as a qualifying disability for SSI/SSDI benefits.

Other sources of state revenue used for addiction treatment include the following:

• General state revenues
• Taxes
• Fines for drug offenses
• Assets seized in drug offense cases

Addiction Insurance Help

Although there is plenty of funding available, there are no hard and fast rules across the board regarding which treatment services are covered by insurance. You are well advised to check into the details of your particular insurance plan to see exactly what you are covered for. If you have any other questions about treatment, call our 24 hour, toll-free helpline now.

What Is the Cost of Addiction Treatment?

The cost of addiction treatment varies among the myriad options. There are many factors that affect the total cost: inpatient or outpatient rehab, length of the program, medications prescribed, types of treatment used and etc. People will mull over how they can fit this expense into their budgets, but the rewards of addiction treatment will pay off. Addicts must consider how much their addiction costs already, and not only in monetary ways.

Addiction is aggressive and its consequences are extremely costly: health concerns, medical bills, money for drugs or alcohol, overspending, relationship troubles, job termination, bankruptcy, legal fees and many other costs associated with addiction. The monetary costs of addiction treatment are miniscule compared to the potential risks of addiction. There are many treatment options to choose from and there is also financial help for those worried about cost.

How Can I Afford to Pay for Addiction Rehabilitation?

Not many people can afford to pay for addiction treatment out-of pocket which is why financial assistance is available. Most health insurance policies cover addiction treatment and will pay for all or a large part of treatment costs. You can find out what your specific policy covers by speaking to an addiction counselor. For those without health insurance coverage, there are other opportunities for financial assistance. Government programs, non-profit groups and even rehab facilities offer payment plans, low-interest loans, grants and other forms of assistance to those in need.

Is Professional Addiction Treatment Worth the Cost?

Professional addiction treatment is absolutely worth the cost. Addiction is a legitimate heath condition that requires treatment for recovery to be possible. Alternative methods to treatment are typically ineffective and do not achieve lasting sobriety. The reason professional treatment costs so much is because it works; you get what you pay for. Addicts receive individual treatment that addresses all issues of the addiction. Counseling, therapy, medical assistance, life coaching and aftercare all come with rehab, which increases the chances of long-term success. Quality addiction treatment provides patients with all the tools and resources necessary to overcome addiction. Rehab changes lives and heals struggling individuals. This care is well worth the money.

Help Finding Affordable Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one faces a battle with addiction, you do not have to sacrifice quality treatment because of financial concerns. Please call our toll-free helpline today to speak with an addiction counselor. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to assist you with cost concerns and insurance coverage. We are here to find you a treatment program that meets your specific recovery needs and is financially feasible for your budget. Only quality treatment will lead to long-term sobriety; let us help you find the care you need today.

Insurance Companies Are Required to Keep Medical Information Private

An employee’s first protection comes from the federal Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA). Enacted in 1996, HIPPA includes a privacy rule that governs how medical information may or may not be shared. Under this rule, health plans are not allowed to release an individual’s health information without his or her written consent. The types of health information that this rule covers can include the following:

• Past, present and future medical records
• Physical and mental health records
• Types of medical care received by an individual
• Past, present and future payment records for medical care

The rule also governs over health care clearinghouses and health care providers who transmit medical records electronically. Physicians are bound by a separate ethical code to maintain patient confidentiality.

Programs Not Covered by HIPPA’s Privacy Rule

There are a few exceptions to HIPPA’s privacy rule, such as an employer-funded health plan with fewer than 50 members. Some types of government-funded programs are also not governed by the rule, including the following:

• Programs created to directly provide health care, such as a community health center
• Programs that are not designed to offer health care, such as food stamp programs

Requesting Time Off for Addiction Treatment

While an insurance company may not release medical information, an employer may ask for details if a worker requests for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave due to a serious health condition that prevents the employee from performing his job duties. To be eligible for this leave, an employee must work at a company that has over 50 employees and must have worked at the company for at least 12 months.

Employees who request time off under the FMLA are commonly required to provide their employers with the specific reason for their absence. An employer may accept an explanation that is more general but will often ask for detailed information before granting the leave. While the employer is not allowed to request an employee’s medical records, the employer does have the right to ask for more information before granting leave.

Finding Help for Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please call our toll-free helpline now. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you may have about addiction and recovery. We can help you find the best treatment options for your situation. Please call now.

Insurance Regulations and Addiction Rehabilitation

When pressed, your insurance carrier may cover significant portions of the rehab cost. Many states require that employers offer insurance coverage that includes addiction treatment, and that they must allow for the necessary time off of work for rehab. In fact, the following laws that protect the rights of recovering addicts:

• Addiction is considered a mental health issue and a disease, therefore it requires treatment
• Discrimination against addicts is prohibited under the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Employers and insurance companies are not allowed to discriminate against a person due to previous struggles with addiction
• Having gone through rehab must not be used against a recovering addict for the purposes of coverage, employment or purchasing a home

When implemented, newly passed federal legislation will assure that every American has access to affordable health care insurance, including treatment of mental disorders such as addiction.

How Important Is Rehab to the Addiction Recovery Process?

Rehab is a crucial part of long-term recovery from addiction. Most addicts will try to get clean on their own, and some will be successful in the short term. They will endure the misery of withdrawal as their bodies recover from the physical aspects of addiction; but many of these addicts will relapse due to the psychological power of the disease. The best rehab facilities increase the odds of success by treating addiction in a holistic way. Although each patient is treated as a unique person with unique needs, some of the most effective therapeutic tools work for most everyone wrestling with chemical dependency.
The best rehab programs offer some form of the following treatments:

• Comfortable resting conditions
• Nutritious meals and instruction on their importance
• Personal counseling
• Education about the causes and effects of chemical dependency
• Teaching healthy ways to cope with problems
• Spiritual and emotional care
• Preparation for life after rehab
• High quality aftercare

It takes time to rewire the brain to function without addiction, and rehab allows for that time and functioning. It also removes patients from the daily grind and access to drugs or alcohol. Patients can focus all of their energy on getting well. Many insurance companies and employers understand that the overall value of comprehensive rehab is far greater than the financial cost.

Help with Insurance and Addiction Rehabilitation

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the logistical details associated with rehab, we can help. Call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline today and let us sort out your insurance coverage. Our counselors can connect you with financial assistance so that you can get on with your treatment. Don’t let financial concerns keep you from doing what you need to do.

• Borderline personality disorder
• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• Spectrum mood disorders
• Chemical dependency

This treatment expands on cognitive behavioral therapy by adding elements derived from Buddhist meditative concepts. Patients are taught basic mindfulness techniques that can train their brains to respond to stressors and temptations in a healthier way. This approach has been so successful that it has been integrated into many addiction recovery programs, most of which are covered by major insurance policies.

What Are the Basic Components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

DBT consists of a combination of personal counseling sessions and group meetings in which the following four modules of new skill development are taught and practiced:

• Mindfulness—learning to be consciously and calmly aware of one’s emotions and thoughts, especially during distressing situations
• Distress tolerance—accepting distressful circumstances instead of trying to avoid or escape them
• Emotion regulation—learning to control emotional responses and feelings
• Interpersonal effectiveness—developing improved communication skills, learning to say no and to deal with interpersonal conflict in a healthy way

While several of the techniques and skills are based on principles associated with Buddhism, DBT is not a religion-based practice.

Addiction Treatment and Insurance

While insurance companies certainly reject claims routinely, the majority of state and federal insurance programs are required to cover professional addiction treatment. Most employers recognize the value that healthy employees are, so they encourage people to get help for life-controlling diseases such as addiction. Federal laws have identified addiction as a legitimate disorder and disability. Individuals diagnosed with this disease are entitled to treatment and to protection from discrimination in the workplace.

Help Finding DBT for Addiction Recovery

If you are concerned about whether or not your insurance plan covers DBT for addiction treatment, please call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline today. Our counselors are standing by right now; they are ready to call and confirm your insurance coverage at no cost. We can answer any other questions you may have about DBT and addiction treatment, we and can connect you with the best program for your unique needs. Don’t let confusion or frustration with your insurance company keep you from getting the help you need. Call today.