Drug Rehab vs Mental Health Insurance Coverage

Understanding Dual Diagnosis Coverage

For those who have an addiction to drugs or alcohol and a mental health illness, there may be many complications. They may be using drugs or alcohol to deal with symptoms of the mental health illness or experiencing mental health symptoms because of the addiction. Those who have an addiction and mental health illness are diagnosed with a dual diagnosis disorder. The truth is drug and alcohol addictions are complicated. These substances don't affect everyone in the same ways, yet there are still millions of United States citizens who suffer from addictions. The same goes for those who have mental illnesses as well. However, somehow getting the money to cover treatment can be difficult. Not everyone has insurance and going to rehab without insurance can be costly. So, what can be done about paying for rehab, especially with a dual diagnosis?

Thousands of Addiction Treatment Centers   

There are millions of people who suffer from a mild to severe drug or alcohol addiction. Some of them are still actively using, others are attending drug or alcohol rehab centers, and some are in recovery. According to Market Watch, there are over 14,000 addiction treatment centers in the United States. Each one of the rehab centers provides varied levels of therapy, counseling, case management, and other addiction recovery related services.

Many people are happy to find out there is someone who wants to help people that suffer from addictions. However, the issue lies with how the treatment is going to be paid for. Addiction treatment is expensive and it costs thousands and thousands of dollars to attend an addiction rehab facility. It is fortunate that addiction is a focus of public health committees throughout the United States. Due to this focus, addiction treatment is largely funded through local, state, and federal governments. There are millions of people who have gotten funding through these governmental sources, and this has helped millions of people to enjoy a recovery journey that they might not get to experience otherwise.

There are also millions of people who have private insurance or even job related health insurance. Many of these insurance plans cover addiction rehab treatment too. If you have any type of insurance and suffer with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you should contact your insurance company to see what they might pay for. You can also contact addiction rehab centers and they can help you figure that out as well. 

Continued Problem  

The thing is, unfortunately, many health insurance companies will only pay for a short rehab stay or a certain amount of treatment. The truth is, they may actually cover more, but they don't think anyone is going to push back to get more coverage. This is because many people don't. However, if you have an addiction, you deserve to get enough addiction treatment to help you overcome the addictive lifestyle. So, what can be done about it?

Look at Your Options  

If you have been turned down by your insurance company or they say they aren't going to cover enough of the treatment, you do have some options. Some of the main options you have regarding addiction rehab treatment and your insurance include:

• Make sure your insurance company isn't turning you down, if they are supposed to cover some of even all of the treatment (this does happen, but you can make sure it doesn't)
• Know that most states have laws requiring the insurance companies to cover most addiction rehab treatment
• Fight with your insurance company (if you are paying for your own insurance plan, become familiar with your benefits, and talk to whoever you must from the insurance company to make sure you get the coverage you deserve)

Untreated drug and alcohol addictions cost the United States hundreds of billions of dollars every single year. The more people who can get coverage and treatment for their addiction, not only is that beneficial for their life, but for the United States as well. Most likely you are able to get some or full coverage through your insurance plan. Check with your state laws, insurance company handbook, or even with rehab centers to get the help you need. It is also important to note that group health insurance plans must follow the law of the state.

What Will Be Covered By the Insurance Company?  

If you need to get alcohol or drug rehab treatment, you should get a hold of your insurance company right away. Talk to them about your individual health insurance plan to see what they cover. Depending on the plan you have, the insurance company may pay for the entire addiction rehab treatment, after a deductible has been paid, while some might pay for a percentage of addiction treatment.

When you are looking for addiction treatment, you shouldn't settle. You deserve to get the best treatment. Remember, more times than not, your insurance company is likely supposed to cover at least a portion of the treatment, so make sure you tell them you know that. If the policy you have through the insurance company has addiction treatment underwritten, you will have guaranteed treatment coverage. It is helpful to have this information if you ever need to get addiction rehab help or you know someone who does.

Which Health Insurance Companies Cover at Least a Portion of Addiction Treatment?  

While this isn't guaranteed because each health insurance plan is unique, it just gives you an idea of whether your insurance company may cover addiction treatment or at least a portion of it. Some of the insurance companies that generally pay for at least a portion of addiction treatment include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield (usually mostly covered)
• United Healthcare (usually mostly covered)
• Aetna (usually covered)
• Humana (usually covered)
• Cigna (usually covered)
• Assurant Health (usually covered)
• WellPoint Health Insurance (usually mostly covered)
• Kaiser Permanente (usually mostly covered)

If you have any of these insurance company providers, at least now you have somewhat of an idea of whether treatment is covered. You can contact your insurance company directly or talk to an addiction rehab center to see if they can help. 

Learning About Varied Levels of Addiction Treatment Care  

Are you in need of addiction treatment or do you know someone who is? If so, it can be helpful to know more about the varied levels of addiction treatment care. Some of the types of addiction treatment care you should know about include the following:

• Inpatient Rehab (24/7 care with behavioral, group, and cognitive therapy)
• Inpatient Detox (24/7 care with mental and physical care, intake evaluation, detox medications if needed, and withdrawal symptom stabilizing procedures) 
• Residential Rehab (sober living environment off-site with therapy designed for preventing relapse and improving development of character)
• Partial Hospitalization (day or evening addiction treatment with group therapy, relapse prevention, mental health treatment, and addiction recovery education)
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment (live outside the addiction treatment center with intensive addiction treatment and therapy, generally for hours a day, along with group therapy sessions)
• Outpatient Treatment (live outside the addiction treatment center and receive individual and group therapy once to a few times each week)
• Inpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers -- These centers mainly treat addiction but have licensed therapists and psych doctors who can help diagnosis patients with underlying mental health issues.

These are some of the addiction treatment options you have. Each treatment option has its benefits and not every option is right for every person who needs treatment. When you see an addiction treatment professional, they can help you best determine which treatment may be right for you.