Addiction is a treatable disease. Despite the stigma that is commonly associated with substance abuse, many people have successfully recovered from their addiction. In most cases, partial or full coverage insurance policies were used to treat addiction. The question is, what is insurance coverage for addiction?
Although insurance companies can offer an insurance policy that includes substance abuse and mental health treatment, full coverage is not offered by all insurance providers. Often, the coverage policy only covers basic medical expenses. Some companies also have coverage limits for substance abuse.
In this blog post, we will discuss what insurance for addiction looks like and how it works. We will also talk about the minimum amount of coverage required by law in order to receive addiction treatment services. Keep reading to learn more!
Addiction Statistics in the USA
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) of 2020 presented data on substance use in the United States. More than 160 million engaged in substance use including illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products. Almost 10 million people engaged in prescription drug abuse, specific to opioid drugs; while over 10 million people abused prescription stimulants.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the problem of addiction cost the country more than $740 billion in 2020 alone. The cost of addiction includes substance abuse treatment.
Further data reveals that drug addiction is responsible for over $190 billion while alcohol addiction costs up to $250 billion. By far the most expensive addiction is tobacco at an estimated $300 billion, including cigarettes and vape products.
In comparison, the cost of rehab is far lower than addiction treatment costs. Drug or alcohol addiction affects a person’s physical and mental health – it can lead to severe mental health issues and the loss of livelihood. The cost of rehab at treatment centers is much cheaper than the cost of being a drug and alcohol addict. Rehab is usually done over the course of a year, with the goal of stopping the addiction after the treatment program.
Additionally, most health insurance plans significantly decrease the cost of rehab. Patients with an insurance policy can become eligible for full coverage for medical expenses and substance abuse treatment programs. Of course, this will depend on the type of policy and the coverage limits provided by the insurance company.
You can select insurance plans that are partnered with a health maintenance organization. These organizations help ensure that people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction will get the essential health benefits and health insurance plans that they need.
Most insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage for drug and alcohol addiction. However, some policies only cover detoxification and rehab programs while medications become out-of-pocket expenses. Be sure to check with your insurance provider if your policy can cover addiction treatment.
Why is addiction treatment necessary?
Drug addiction treatment is necessary because it helps people recover from their addiction and live a sober life. Substance abuse treatment can also help to prevent relapses and reduce the risk of overdose.
There are many different types of substance abuse treatment programs, such as inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, 12-step programs, therapy, mental health treatment, and medication-assisted treatment. Each type of treatment has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab is considered to be the most effective type of drug addiction treatment. This is because inpatient rehab provides 24-hour supervision, which can help to prevent relapses.
Inpatient rehab is the recommended treatment method for patients with moderate to severe addiction. Treatment centers can offer a variety of services such as detoxification, individual therapy, group therapy, and holistic activities.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab is a type of treatment that allows people to live at home while receiving health care services. It is usually recommended for patients with mild to moderate addiction, and for patients who are transitioning from inpatient care. Treatment centers typically require people to come into the facility for treatments, such as individual therapy, group therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.
12-Step Programs
12-step programs are support groups that help people to recover from their drug or alcohol addiction. These programs follow a set of 12 steps that help people to change their thinking and behavior, effectively improving their mental health. The most popular 12-step program is used by Alcoholics Anonymous to help alcoholics in recovery.
Behavioral Therapy
Therapy is a type of treatment that helps people to understand their addiction and learn how to cope with triggers. It helps improve an addict’s mental health and can be done in individual or group settings. For addiction treatment, behavioral therapies are the usual form of treatment. These therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT).
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
MAT is a type of treatment that uses medication to help people recover from their drug addiction. Addiction treatment facilities typically use MAT in combination with other types of treatment, such as behavioral therapy. Patients in need of medication are usually those suffering from severe opioid use disorders. Common medications used include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone.
What is addiction treatment insurance?
Addiction treatment insurance is a type of health insurance policy that offers substance abuse treatment coverage. Depending on the type of policy that you have, you may enjoy full coverage health insurance or health insurance with specific coverage limits.
What is insurance coverage for addiction?
Full health insurance coverage for addiction treatment means that the insurance policy covers all of the costs associated with addiction treatment. Insurance plans can provide comprehensive coverage from the time you step into a treatment facility to curb your drug addiction. This insurance plan includes the cost of detoxification, behavioral therapy, individual or group therapy, recreational and holistic activities, and medication-assisted treatment.
How does addiction treatment insurance work?
This type of insurance works by reimbursing the cost of addiction treatment services. This means that the insurance provider will pay for all or part of the cost of treatment.
You may be wondering, what is the minimum amount of addiction treatment insurance coverage required? The minimum amount of addiction insurance required by law varies from state to state. In some states, there is no minimum amount of coverage needed. In other states, the minimum amount of coverage required can reach up to $50,000.
If you are considering using your health insurance to pay for addiction treatment, it is important to check with your insurance provider to see if they offer partial or comprehensive coverage. When getting an insurance policy, always ask how they define what is insurance coverage for addiction, because comprehensive coverage from one insurance company may not be the same for a different company.
What is the Affordable Care Act of 2010?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 was enacted with the goal of making health insurance more accessible to Americans. Under the Affordable Care Act, people under the federal poverty level will receive tax credits or subsidies for health insurance. ACA does not provide free healthcare; instead, it lowers the costs of treatment by providing subsidies for all insurance companies in the health insurance marketplace. The Affordable Care Act effectively makes full coverage insurance more accessible for low-income communities.
Treatment Programs covered by Full Coverage Insurance under the ACA
Under the ACA, all health insurance shall cover full standard coverage for addiction, mental health treatments, as well as medical payments coverage. With the help of the law, people who have an insurance plan only have to pay a minimum amount for their addiction treatment and medical bills.
The minimum coverage required by the ACA includes addiction evaluation, assessment, and treatment through detoxification and rehab. With full coverage from a private insurance company, patients are eligible to receive more than the minimum coverage. This includes medications, testing for substance use, behavioral therapies, counseling sessions, and regular check-ups.
What are the available addiction treatment insurance plans?
There are several insurance policies available in the health insurance marketplace. And private insurance companies also offer comprehensive insurance plans for addiction treatment. Make sure that your insurance policy covers the treatment that you require.
Some examples of private insurance plans that offer addiction treatment coverage are:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Humana
- United Healthcare
Most private treatment facilities and drug rehabs accept insurance, even luxury rehab centers. Heal Treatment Center is one of those. You may get in touch with them and check if your insurance can cover their premium services.
Conclusion
What is insurance coverage for addiction? When talking about full coverage, it should include substance use testing, detoxification, and rehabilitation. A comprehensive insurance policy must also include additional coverages such as medications, therapy, and medical payments coverage.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, know that there are many resources available. Addiction is a serious disease that can be difficult to overcome without professional help. With the passing of the ACA, insurance is now more available regardless of your financial situation. Even high-end rehab services can be covered by an insurance. Make sure to get the right insurance policy that will cover your treatment needs.
