Confused about what your health insurance actually covers? You are not alone. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, only 12% of Americans have proficient health literacy skills. That means that most of us get more than a little confused at times when navigating our healthcare, so don’t be too hard on yourself.
Determining if addiction treatment is covered by insurance can be even more complicated due to the variety of treatment options available. We will do our best to break it down in this blog post.
Understanding Insurance Coverage for Addiction Treatment
The short answer to “Is addiction treatment covered by insurance?” is yes. Most insurance plans include coverage for physical health, mental health, and substance use disorder treatments. “Addiction treatment” is a similar term to substance use disorder treatment but can also include non-substance-related addictions, such as gambling. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 required that most health plans apply similar rules, or “parity,” to mental health and substance use disorder benefits, just as they would to medical or surgical benefits (physical health benefits).
It is also important to note that your insurance company may use one of a few terms in your Summary of Benefits document. If you can’t find “addiction treatment” listed on your first read-through, try searching for “substance use,” “substance abuse,” or perhaps even “behavioral health.”
What Factors Affect Coverage for Addiction Treatment?
The costs of addiction treatment can vary widely depending on the type of treatment and setting. Someone participating in a residential treatment program for 30 days or more will incur different costs than someone participating in outpatient therapy a few days per week, for example. At a glance, here are the types of addiction treatment likely to be covered, at least in part, by insurance:
- Detox
- Inpatient Rehab
- Outpatient Treatment
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Therapy and Counseling
How Can I Check if My Insurance Covers Addiction Treatment?
Both Medicaid and private insurance are likely to cover some or all addiction treatment costs as they classify it as a medical condition. It is always a good idea to contact your provider to better understand your options and policy details. Your insurance provider likely has a helpline you can call or an online tool you can use to verify coverage.
If you know what treatment you are seeking for yourself or a loved one, contact the treatment center directly; they may be able to verify coverage. Here is a link to our insurance verification tool at Infinity Recovery.
Are There Any Alternative Payment Options for Addiction Treatment?
In addition to insurance, there are other ways you might be able to lessen the cost of addiction treatment. Some states have government-funded programs for addiction recovery, and this SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) tool can help you find the ones in your state. There are also a lot of nonprofit organizations and charities working to provide grants and scholarships to support people in recovery. Finally, some treatment centers offer payment plans and financing options to help delay the cost of addiction treatment so you can get the help you need when you need it.
Infinity Recovery Can Help
Are you or a loved one ready to take the next step in your recovery? Our team of dedicated support staff, skilled medical professionals, and compassionate therapists approach addiction treatment holistically and without judgment. For true recovery, we believe it’s important to get to the root cause of addiction. We provide a variety of addiction treatment options and therapies. We are here for you and want to help you achieve the life you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.
