Proper treatment is necessary when you have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD), but many individuals have concerns about the cost. However, you should not have to put off getting help just because of your financial situation. One of the main questions that comes up when trying to find affordable treatment is whether health insurance will cover the costs. Do you need to have an expensive health insurance plan to get coverage for SUD treatment? Will Medicaid or Medicare cover addiction treatment? Learning how to get insurance to pay for rehab can help make substance use disorder treatment more affordable, so your health does not have to take a backseat to your finances.
Will Your Health Insurance Cover Treatment for Substance Use Disorder?
When you are considering professional treatment for substance use disorder, the cost of treatment is likely to be at the front of your mind. If you have health insurance, you would hope and expect that it would cover some or all of your treatment costs. Whether your insurance will cover substance use disorder (SUD) treatment depends on several factors. Here is an overview of using health insurance for rehab:
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prevents insurance companies from categorizing substance use disorder as a pre-existing condition, which will help increase the chances of your insurance covering treatment.
- The ACA requires that its insurance plans cover at least some of the cost of treatment for substance use disorder. The percentage of treatment costs covered varies based on the type of insurance plan you have, with platinum plans covering almost the entire cost of treatment.
- Medicaid and Medicare are now required to provide coverage for SUD treatment costs.
As you can see, the Affordable Care Act has made significant strides in making SUD treatment affordable for people in lower-income brackets. Without this assistance, many people may have found it impossible to afford the professional help they need for recovery.
Paying for Drug Rehab with Medicaid or Medicare
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid will help pay for SUD treatment. But what do they cover? Here are some of the treatment costs that will be paid for by Medicare and Medicaid:
- Intake assessment
- Intervention services
- Clinic visits
- Medication
- Therapy
To find more specific information about which services are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, reach out to your insurance company. Many health insurance plans only cover services at certain treatment centers, so it is best to inquire about this before enrolling in treatment.
Finding Drug Rehabs Covered by Medicaid or Medicare
There are several ways to find addiction treatment centers that accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you are insured by either of these programs, here is how you can find treatment centers covered by your plan:
- Call the number on your insurance card to speak with a representative who can look up treatment centers covered by your plan.
- Log in to your online account for your health insurance plan to search for treatment providers in your network.
- Check out the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. Use their treatment services locator to search for facilities in your area, then filter your search by services you need and the type of insurance you have.
- If you have a treatment facility in mind, either visit their website or give them a call to ask if they accept Medicaid or Medicare.
Using any of these methods should easily bring up a list of local treatment centers that your Medicaid or Medicare insurance plan will cover.
Find Affordable SUD Treatment Covered by Health Insurance
Everyone diagnosed with a substance use disorder deserves quality treatment and lasting recovery. Do not let your financial situation stand in the way of feeling better. Reach out to your insurance company today to find SUD treatment centers covered by your plan.
