Blue Cross Blue Shield Rehab Coverage

You are not alone if you or a loved one is battling alcohol or drug addiction. Estimates say that over 23.5 million people in the United States have a drug addiction issue. Unfortunately, the majority of them go untreated. Many people suffering from addiction would like treatment but believe they cannot afford it. They may be unaware that their insurance may cover drug or alcohol treatment if they have group health insurance via their job. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers one such insurance. However, the discussion doesn’t end here. You still need to see to which degree Blue Cross Blue Shield has drug rehab coverage. So let us go a bit more into detail about who Blue Cross Blue Shield is and what they offer.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross opened its doors in 1929, entering the healthcare industry confident and ready to make changes. In 1960 it became the Blue Cross Association, while Blue shield opened in 1939 and also became an association in 1948. In 1982, the two associations merged, creating The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Since then, the company has developed and grown, becoming an essential insurer in the United States and the world. A the moment, BCBS has two offices, one in Chicago and one in Washington DC. They cover 50 states, including the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico, and have a license to offer plans in other countries. One hundred seventy countries, to be more exact. 

However, the question remains: does Blue Cross Blue Shield have drug rehab coverage? BCBS health insurance covers drug and alcohol treatment. BCBS is a prominent and well-known insurance company accepted at many addiction treatment clinics. However, coverage varies by state and plan, so it’s best to contact BCBS if you have any concerns regarding your coverage.

What does Blue Cross Blue Shield offer?

BCBS generally offers insurance coverage for individuals and groups who reside in the United States. However, they also provide coverage for short-term or long-term traveling U.S. citizens in other countries. Here are the two main types of insurance that BCBS offers:

• Preferred Provider Organization Plans – These plans, also called PPOs, are what most healthcare providers offer. With a PPO, most healthcare is supplied by a network of providers collaborating with the program and giving a significant discount off their standard rates. Users can also access services from suppliers outside the network at a greater out-of-pocket fee. A PPO’s main benefits are flexibility and choice. For example, with a PPO, you can have specialist consultations covered without needing a referral from your primary care physician.
• Health Maintenance Organization Plans – Or HMOs, are a less expensive alternative to PPOs, with less flexibility but cheaper rates. HMO members, unlike PPO members, must seek care from physicians, specialists, and hospitals inside the HMO’s network. An HMO requires you to choose a primary care physician (PCP) who will be your point of contact for all of your healthcare requirements. In addition, you must consult your PCP for regular medical care or if you want to visit a specialist.
• Short-Term Medical Insurance – Often known as temporary health insurance, these plans cover major hospital, medical, and surgical expenditures connected to an injury or illness. Short-term plans are less expensive than other medical policies but provide less coverage. Short-term health insurance is perfect for those waiting for their employer’s insurance to begin, are between jobs, or have recently gotten off their parents’ coverage.

How to know if your Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance has drug rehab coverage?

If you wish to verify your insurance coverage or find out if your BCBS medical insurance covers drug or alcohol addiction rehabilitation, call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. You can also find out about your coverage through the BCBS website. It will link you to your area’s Blue Cross Blue Shield substance abuse provider. Lastly, you can contact the rehabilitation center you are interested in and ask them to check out your coverage. However, we can tell you that we at Little Creek do accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, but you still need to see your coverage percentage.

Do you have to choose an in-network treatment center?

In-network providers collaborate with the insurance provider to offer services at a set rate. That means your out-of-pocket expenses will be lower than if you go to an out-of-network provider. If you choose an out-of-network center, you may have to pay for the entire cost of treatment.

Therefore, when possible, choose a center that is in-network with BCBS. If you cannot find an in-network specialist or prefer an out-of-network center, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan with the center to cover the cost of treatment over time.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Drug Rehab Coverage

BCBS insurance providers are located throughout the country and cover roughly 105 million individuals and families. In other words, they cover about one-third of the population! Some of the expenditures in the rehab treatment that BCBS insurances cover are the following: 

Detox programs

Patients will require support in some situations when detoxing from drugs and alcohol, which can be unpleasant, painful, or even life-threatening. Medical detox allows patients to safely withdraw from drugs and alcohol since they are under 24-hour medical care. Medication may also be provided to patients to aid with withdrawal symptoms.

Impatient Programs

Inpatient rehabilitation programs entail individuals checking themselves into a supervised setting to conquer their addictions. Patients are cared for at a clinic that provides medical and emotional assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A quality inpatient rehabilitation center has competent, trained staff with the knowledge and ability to deal with such challenging situations. Furthermore, they are trained to be alert to any events that may jeopardize the patient’s recovery or safety. An inpatient program can last from a couple of days to months.

Residential treatment

Residential rehabilitation treatments are provided outside the hospital system and often require longer stays. These rehabilitation programs are live-in facilities that can address some underlying psychological or behavioral issues connected with drug and alcohol addictions. Also, residential treatment usually follows the detoxification procedure. Several programs and therapies in residential rehab can assist someone in avoiding relapse and re-entering society. Moreover, people sometimes spend several months or even a year in residential treatment programs. These facilities can help people develop skills and resilience to avoid relapse when they return to their everyday lives.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

PHP is an outpatient treatment option. Patients not significantly addicted to drugs will usually only require outpatient rehab, which is less demanding and disruptive to a patient’s daily life than an inpatient treatment program. However, many people with severe addiction cannot undergo inpatient rehab, which may be more appropriate and helpful for their situation. Therefore, the Partial Hospitalization Program is a more rigorous outpatient treatment for those with severe addiction who cannot undergo inpatient rehab. In addition, this type of treatment offers flexibility as the patient comes for treatment at the center but doesn’t stay overnight.

Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient programs

Outpatient treatment is a drug rehab program that allows people to remain at home while working or attending school. Patients in outpatient rehab often attend a treatment facility, hospital, mental health clinic, or behavioral counselor regularly at particular times and days of the week. Some outpatient rehabilitation programs provide evening and weekend sessions, making it easier for patients to combine treatment demands with personal, familial, and professional commitments.

Medication Assisted Treatment

MAT includes prescribed medications as well as treatment, support, and counseling. The pills function by preventing the effects of drugs or reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The most often used drugs are Naltrexone, Buprenorphine, and Methadone.

Sober Living

Sober living houses, in general, are privately owned residences for those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction. Homes are often placed in calm, pleasant communities where members may unwind and concentrate on their personal growth and recovery journeys. Residents in a recovery housing concept provide and receive assistance from their peers and community leaders. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Alcohol Rehab Coverage

Fortunately, Blue Cross Blue Shield recognizes the severity of alcohol abuse and its effects. As a result, your BCBS insurance will partially or entirely cover your alcohol rehabilitation. However, your coverage depends on your state of residency, whether the facility is in or out-of-network, the duration of your stay, and the quality of your insurance plan. The cost of drug and alcohol addiction treatment varies by person and depends on the recovery center, the program attended, and the services provided. Therefore, contact your insurer or the center you want to attend to find out if you are fully covered.

How long do you have Blue Cross Blue Shield Drug Rehab Coverage?

There is no time limit for BCBS insurance or any other insurer to cover drug rehab services. This is because various factors influence coverage, such as the specific insurance plan, the chosen drug rehab facility, and the individual’s treatment needs. However, some research has found that persons who stay in therapy for three months or longer are more likely to have a favorable treatment outcome. Therefore, don’t worry about the time spent in rehab and focus on improving.

What if your insurance doesn’t cover drug rehab?

If you don’t have Blue Cross Blue Shield drug rehab coverage, you still have options to pay for your treatment. Besides paying in cash or with a credit card, you can talk to your treatment center and find a solution. For instance, depending on your circumstances, the center may be able to provide financing and payment plans to assist you in paying for care. Also, you can pay with a scholarship or look into NGOs and grants that might help you pay for drug recovery programs. In the end, you can also ask your family and friends to help you pay for your treatment.

Do you need pre-certification for BCBS to cover your rehab treatment?

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance plans demand pre-certification for inpatient drug rehab therapy. In addition, many also require certification for outpatient treatment. A detailed clinical examination may also be required by BCBS to validate your need for treatment.

Little Creek and Blue Cross Blue Shield Drug Rehab Coverage

We are happy to tell you that if you or a loved one need substance abuse treatment, we can help. Our center accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance for drug and alcohol rehab. However, as previously mentioned, you do have to check with your insurer to see how much of your treatment will be covered. At the same time, you can call us, and we can check your insurance coverage. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Supports Drug and Alcohol Rehab

One in every 25 adults in our country struggles with substance abuse or drug or alcohol addiction. Only 11% of them seek professional treatment to overcome their addiction. For many, the issue is solely financial. They feel caught in the cycle of addiction because they lack the financial resources to pay for rehab treatments. Fortunately, Blue Cross Blue Shield helps many people get the care they urgently need by adding drug and alcohol rehab coverage to their group benefit plans. So if you or a loved one needs rehab and you have BCBS insurance, you will get the help and support you need.

To summarize:

Drug and alcohol abuse has a devastating impact on patients, as well as their friends, family, and loved ones. Addiction has developed rapidly in the United States in recent decades, and its repercussions are seen on a huge scale. Unfortunately, the costs of treatment are too high for some of those who seek help. However, the financial burden for those people may be alleviated with appropriate insurance coverage. That way, people can recover and return to a healthy life free of drugs and alcohol. And all thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield drug rehab coverage.