Choosing to check into a rehab facility will always be one of the best decisions of your life. When drugs or alcohol have turned your life upside-down, you need professional help right away. You may think that you can overcome your addiction on your own, but we’re here to tell you to get professional help instead.
Of course, getting help for your addiction is often easier said than done. One of the most important worries you’ll have is how to pay for your addiction treatment. For example, does insurance pay for addiction treatment? If it does, what can you expect it to cover? How much will you have to pay out-of-pocket? If you’re worried about the cost of receiving professional help for your drug or alcohol addiction, keep reading for more information.
Paying with Insurance
Many health care plans will cover your entire rehab stay while others will cover just a portion of it. When you need to know what your insurance will cover, call your carrier to find out or hop on their website. Have your insurance information handy when you do. It may be easier to call and talk to a representative about your situation as conditions change frequently with insurance companies. He or she will be able to tell you the current arrangements you will be able to make.
Things to Consider
How much your insurance covers will depend on a few factors. This includes:
• Your specific insurance company
• What treatment you need
• The length of the treatment
• Health factors
• Previous rehab visits
Your policy may cover some or all of your rehab stay. If you aren’t sure, many rehab centers will be happy to find out for you. They will be able to find out whether the facility is in your provider network as well as the days you will be covered. They’ll also tell you the specific services you can and cannot utilize under your insurance plan. Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna, and United Healthcare all are four major health insurance providers that cover rehab services for millions of men and women around the country.
How your insurance works with rehab will depend on other factors. If you are fully insured, you are already paying premiums every month to your insurance provider. If you are self-insured, your employer is the one paying your healthcare costs through their chosen provider. Your out-of-pocket costs will vary from provider to provider. You may have to pay a portion of the cost through a copay or deductible.
Your insurance may pay for some or all of these services:
• Emergency services ( in the case of an overdose)
• Ambulance services
• Hospitalization
• Lab tests
• Inpatient rehab
• Outpatient rehab
• Residential rehab
• Detox services
• Ongoing care
If you are working and are covered under your employer’s insurance, you’ll also want to see if they offer time off for treatment. The Family Medical Leave Act, run by the United States Department of Labor, entitles eligible employees to take job-protected, unpaid leave for certain medical conditions. This often includes detox and rehab services.
With so many insurance carriers in the world, it’s hard to know who covers what. Some companies will only cover outpatient services for so many days while others allow patients to receive full-service treatment of residential rehab. The best thing to do is to call and talk to a representative right away. If you still have questions, ask for assistance with your paperwork from the rehab facility itself. A representative will be more than happy to help you deal with the payment portion of your stay.
Additional Options
Once you know what your insurance will cover you’ll want to see how you can get the rest of your stay taken care of. Again, talk with a representative of the rehab. They can help you find state and federal funds that may cover part of your stay. You may be able to get grants and loans from private organizations, or the rehab may allow you to set up a personal payment plan. Look for as much help elsewhere before you dig into your savings. Help is there, and your rehab will help you find it.
When you know you need help for your addiction, we are here for you day and night. Stop in and talk to us, or call today at 772-266-5320. Don’t take on the burden of drug addiction any longer. Get back on your feet and stay on the sober path from now on with our help.
