People suffering from alcohol and drug addiction ought not to be denied access to rehab by the insurance providers. One of the reasons most people fail to seek treatment is that private and government insurance programs do not cover costs adequately. To fight the addiction problem that is ravaging the country, there is a need to increase funding for addiction treatment. Declaring addiction as a national problem is not sufficient.
In the past, addiction was attributed to lack of morality or willpower; it is now widely accepted that any person can be trapped in the cycle of addiction. In fact, the medical community understands that addiction ought to be treated with the same level of respect, resources, and commitment.
Addiction is now a health concern that has negative consequences for people who use substances. In fact, it extends to affect family, co-workers, and friends. It is unfortunate that most people deny that they are addicted because they are worried about what is likely to happen when they join a rehab center.
If addiction is left untreated, it becomes a serious threat to one’s safety and health. It also has the risk of career and legal consequences.
Uncertainty surrounding insurance coverage and soaring costs of rehab may hinder people who are seeking treatment. It is important to understand how health insurance works and how it can be used for addiction treatment.
Under the current law, insurance companies are not supposed to increase premiums or rates for patients who are seeking addiction treatment for alcohol and substance use disorder. Instead, insurance companies are required to cover addiction treatment just like they cover other diseases. Moreover, they are not to deny coverage or charge more for the pre-existing conditions.
You should note that this does not mean it covers the entire treatment cost. What should be covered is dependent on your individual insurance plan. Therefore, if you need rehab, there is nothing to worry that it will affect your future insurance rates or coverage. Remember that insurance companies are required to charge the same rates to all the patients on a particular plan, notwithstanding various factors like pre-existing conditions or age. In addition, the level of coverage should remain consistent no matter the illness type.
Although the exact cover depends on your given insurance plan, at the minimum, it should cover residential treatment, outpatient treatment, group therapy, counseling services, medication, partial hospitalization, and ongoing support groups. However, this is just a general guide. It is necessary to check with your insurance company to determine what it covers.
Can Insurance Cover the Whole Cost of Treatment
This is dependent on the particulars of the insurance plan. Just like any other insurance plan, there are certain requirements and limits. It is possible your insurance plan covers just part of the treatment.
Fortunately, the law requires that insurers pay the same rate for rehabilitation services just like any other form of treatment. Thus, insurance companies cannot charge you more or cover less. Usually, plans with expensive premiums provide more coverage as compared to less expensive ones.