Using BCBS Insurance for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
Blue Cross Blue Shield is an insurance provider that covers a number of different addiction treatment services. Not only is substance abuse covered, but this insurance provider also offers coverage of routine medical visits and treatments, physical and mental, across the United States.
If you are looking for a rehab that takes BCBS coverage, you are in the right place! Keep reading to find out more about Catalina Behavioral Health and the many types of insurance plans that completely their services.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Treatment at Catalina?
Thereโs no designated list containing all the addiction treatment facility options that Blue Cross Blue Shield covers. However, a large number of addiction treatment services are covered by this insurance provider โ but the specifics lie in the type of policy and coverage you carry.
Confidential BCBS Insurance Verification
What Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover and What Is the Price?
Blue Cross Blue Shieldโs coverage for addiction treatment treatments varies per plan. Nonetheless, it has the potential to pay for the entirety of all substance abuse treatment medical bills. The extent of coverage ultimately depends on the fine print of your policy.
When looking for a place to get help for addiction treatment, youโll discover that most facilities provide both inpatient and outpatient care.
Common Levels of Addiction Treatment Covered by BCBS Insurance
Since the cost and duration of care under each option vary, so will your insurance coverage. The most commonly used addiction treatment methods include:
- Among one the first options in the treatment process at any treatment center is medically-assisted detox. Medical detox allows you to comfortably go through withdrawal in a safely controlled environment.
- Residential/inpatient treatment centers offer multiple treatment options and around-the-clock care. Normally detox is one of the treatment options at an inpatient facility, from which youโll transfer to a residential rehabilitation setting after youโve completed the withdrawal process. During addiction treatment, Medication-Assisted-Treatment may be extended by your treatment provider.
- A secondary addiction treatment option is outpatient rehab. During outpatient sessions, youโll still meet with your treatment provider with a less intensive schedule. Youโre also not required to spend the night, as youโre allowed to return home after each session.
- Intensive outpatient includes the same professional treatment provider as standard outpatient and inpatient, only with increased intensity and a more rigorous schedule. During IOP, you must attend therapy for alcohol addiction treatment or substance use disorder for over nine hours per week. Medication assisted treatment may still be part of this and the previous two levels of care. Intensive outpatient programs are often the first step after inpatient rehab programs.
- Treatment providers also offer partial hospitalization programs at rehab centers. More advanced than outpatient treatment, PHP treatment programs are an intense form of substance abuse rehab that requires a client to participate all day in essentially the same schedule as a full-time resident of inpatient rehab centers. The only difference is theyโre allowed to return home at night to sleep.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Various Treatment Centers?
Substance abusers often require mental health care as part of dual diagnosis treatment programs. This is also known as โco-occurring disorders.โ About 9.2 million American adults suffer from a dual diagnosis. Mood disorders, depression, and anxiety are the most prevalent co-occurring disorders in those who receive treatment for drug addiction.
Treatment for both drug abuse and mental health problems is recognized as an โessential health benefitโ under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Most clients may now receive treatment for their dual diagnoses because of this. This means all insurance providers must cover medical costs at rehab centers for mental health and substance abuse issues.
Co-occurring disorder treatment plans often combine behavioral therapy with prescription medication to alleviate the distress caused by both mental illness and addiction.
A personalized strategy that addresses both the drug abuse and the mental health issues that often co-occur is the most effective method of care.
Our Rehab Accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield In-Network
Treatments for substance abuse depend on the individual. Providers of drug addiction services will tailor a treatment program to each individualโs needs.
The work that goes into helping people overcome addiction is done through behavioral therapy. Behavioral techniques can greatly aid peopleโs motivation for and success in substance misuse treatment. Although many methods exist for treating drug addiction, the following are the most often used:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Therapy
- Talk Therapy โOne-on-Oneโ
- 12-Step Based Programs
- Family-Centered Psychotherapy
- Positive Reinforcement Therapy
Group and family counseling can be an integral part of any substance abuse program, giving clients the motivation they need to successfully conquer their challenges.ย
Although these approaches differ in detail, they all share a common goal: assisting patients in altering their motivation and developing coping skills to sustain sobriety. Long-term abstinence from drugs is more likely to be achieved and maintained with the support of behavioral treatments, which also aid in developing more effective problem-solving abilities.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Rehab Over a Long-Term Period?ย
Insurance policies often cover medical expenses for set periods of time. It has been shown via studies that the most beneficial results may be achieved with a minimum 90-day commitment to residential therapy.ย
Yet, studies show that those in recovery from substance misuse should continue some sort of treatment for at least a year. In addition, some clients require long-term pharmacological support and maintenance treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence.ย
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What Happens If Blue Cross Blue Shield Doesnโt Cover Rehab?ย
If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield and it doesnโt cover a particular rehab, the best course of action is to continue looking for an alternative treatment facility.
It may be a trial-and-error process, but ultimately youโll find a group of drug rehab centers that your provider covers.ย If youโve found this page, know that you are in good hands using your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy at Catalina Behavioral Health.
How Do I Verify If a Rehab Accepts My Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance?
The best way to verify whether a rehab accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield is by contacting the treatment facility directly.ย
Ask to speak to our admissions staff at Catalina today to verify whether your plan is accepted. The chances are high that our drug and alcohol addiction facility accepts your exact Blue Cross Blue Shield policy โ theyโre one of the most well-known providers nationwide.
With the exception of certain high-end drug and alcohol rehab facilities, you should have very few challenges regarding insurance coverage at a rehab center with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
This is regardless of the type of Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance you carry. Multiple forms are available, depending on your specific plan. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield is available through Medicaid. This is part of the Affordable Cares Act or ACA Marketplace.
Alternatively, your employer may also provide Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance as part of your professional plan. The primary difference between the two health insurance options is ultimately the copay and out-of-pocket expenses you might incur before admittance to specific treatment centers.
BCBS Coverage for Residential Treatment vs Outpatient Treatment
Regardless of whether you select residential treatment or one of the many outpatient treatment plans, your insurance plan still provides the same level of coverage. Breaking down your specific insurance plan, youโll find that, ultimately, the coverage provided depends on the following:
- The amount of time you spend in treatment (30, 60, 90 days, regardless of the level of care)
- Professional services rendered
- The specific rehab center (Insurance plan either does or does not provide coverage โ no โin-betweenโ or a grey area)
- Recommendations per the professional treatment advice offered by your treatment team (In the case of Medicaid, you may need prior approval forms)
What Types of Substance Abuse Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover?
When a client has the goal of entering a treatment facility, there is no discriminatory element regarding the type of substance use disorder thatโs covered by your provider. Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance covers treatment facilities that provide treatment for the following substance use disorders:
Cocaine
If you have issues with cocaine use, your Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan can help you get covered for treatment. Depending on whether you have co-occurring disorders that accompany cocaine abuse, and the severity of your addiction, you may benefit more from residential treatment.
However, many clients are able to conquer cocaine addiction through outpatient means. Ultimately, this depends on how strong your support system is and your level of conviction during your recovery.
Heroin or Fentanyl
If youโre struggling with heroin or fentanyl, your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy can help you find a treatment option at Catalina, including a detox program that will allow you to transition directly into an inpatient environment. A large percentage of a clientโs success regarding long-term fentanyl detox or other opioid abuse recovery is contingent on completing rehab and immediately being admitted to a residential facility.
Itโs not impossible, but the chances of relapse during recovery are much higher without the help of the resources offered during inpatient treatment. The biggest factor involved in this recovery scenario is:
- How much coverage is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield?
- What your out-of-pocket or copay looks like
- How many days are covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance?
Typically, you can expect Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover at least 30 days of live-in treatment, with additional coverage reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The more support you have from your treatment team and recommendations from mental health and substance abuse professionals, the higher your odds of having Blue Cross Blue Shield cover an extended period of treatment.
Looking at Your Timeline for Opioid Treatment
Additional factors come into play during fentanyl or heroin rehab. Do you plan on transitioning into outpatient care after graduating inpatient?
Will you participate in medication-assisted treatment? Itโs becoming more common for those who suffer from opioid abuse disorder to participate in medication-assisted treatment as a maintenance program, at least until they become comfortable and reintegrate back into daily life, functioning as normal members of society.
If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield through Medicaid and the Cares Marketplace, normally 100% of treatment and medication is covered. However, if youโre covered under your workplace, you likely have a copayment and will experience out-of-pocket costs.
Crystal Meth or Other Stimulants
When you or someone you love is having difficulty overcoming crystal meth or other stimulants, sometimes the only answer is rehab. Detox isnโt always necessary for overcoming the initial stages of crystal meth addiction, but itโs not ruled out.
Certain clients do require medically-assisted detox before beginning any form of therapy for crystal meth abuse. Many clients who undergo therapy for stimulants and crystal meth often have questions regarding dual diagnosis.
This is because of the frequency of cases of psychosis and other mental health disorders in combination with stimulant abuse. During dual-diagnosis treatment, both crystal meth abuse disorder and psychosis or other forms of mental health disorder are treated.
Because dual diagnosis treatment entails more intense therapy, coverage specifics may differ from typical substance abuse treatment. You may want to clarify any out-of-pocket expenses before entering a specific facility if you believe dual diagnosis may be part of your individualized treatment plan.
Before starting any regimen of therapy, everything should be available, broken down by the facility, and explained in detail by your insurance provider regarding any expenses and insurance coverage details.
This is especially important, as you donโt want to find yourself in the middle of a treatment plan only to find out your coverage has reached its limit. This is an unfortunate route to relapse for many clients entering substance abuse treatment facilities.
We take every measure to make sure this doesnโt happen at Catalina for our clients or their loved ones. It is important to know your treatment is protected and secure throughout your stay, and our Admissions team will make sure you have transparency throughout in terms of costs.
Does Catalina Behavioral Health Take Blue Cross Blue Shield?
At Catalina Behavioral Health, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance coverage regardless of the specifics of your plan and the origin of your coverage. We help clients from all walks of life enter recovery daily and provide a transparent breakdown of all the services we provide during your time at our facilities.
If you require any form of pre-approval or written recommendations or referrals to qualify for coverage, our team can quickly submit this information to your Blue Cross Blue Shield agent to expedite the process.
We understand the importance of timing during the recovery process, and when youโre in the most dangerous stages of addiction, every minute is a blessing. We understand your urgency and do everything within our power to work with your insurance provider to get you approved and accepted into our facility as fast as possible.
Find Lasting Recovery with BCBS Coverage at Catalina!
Our team of treatment providers at Catalina Behavioral Health has decades of combined experience in helping those even at the lowest stages of substance abuse disorder to find themselves and remain on a path of continued recovery.
With the help of our team, youโll receive a personalized treatment plan thatโs unique to you, catering to your physical and mental needs and mapping out the best possible path to recovery. It takes a village, but with the right team by your side, conquering substance abuse and returning to a high-quality standard of living is possible with Catalina Behavioral Health.
For more information on our program or how we work with Blue Cross Blue Shield or other insurance providers, contact a member of our admissions team today. Weโre standing by to answer all your questions and help you take the next step into healing from substance abuse.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield FAQs
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover medically assisted detox?
Your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan covers some, if not the entirety, of medically-assisted detox. This includes your bed, treatment provided and other expenses associated with the detoxification process.
However, like any other provider, depending on your plan specifically, there may be additional costs associated with the detox process. Certain plans have a copayment requirement before treatment begins. Find out what financial obligations are required of you, if any, before committing to any specific treatment center.
Which rehab or level of care should I choose after detox?
Although the coverage you receive is the same regardless of whether you choose inpatient or outpatient programs, this step deserves careful consideration before making a final decision.
To recap, you have the following level of care options:
- Inpatient/Residential
- Outpatient
- Intensive Outpatient
- Partial Hospitalization
Depending on your situation, one may be more beneficial than the other. If your substance abuse disorder is especially severe, residential is always the recommended course of action.
However, if the issue is moderate and you have a strong support system, outpatient may be appropriate, especially if you hold down a normal job.
If you DO NOT have a strong support system, intensive outpatient is more appropriate โ and even partial hospitalization if you can make the schedule work with your employer.
However, because of certain legalities, your occupation cannot fire you for attending a substance abuse program. You must tread carefully here โ although they canโt fire you for attending a program, they still have grounds to fire you if strict rules are in place regarding the use of illicit drugs or alcohol.
Attending a program might be considered an admission of guilt, and you could find yourself in a complicated situation.
What aftercare services does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover?
Aftercare services include a number of different options depending on whatโs recommended by your treatment provider. Before exiting the rehab facility you chose, they may provide strong recommendations for any of the following:
- Half-way house/Sober living facility
- Continued treatment via primary care mental health/substance abuse resource center/counselor
- Group therapy sessions (12-step program, etc.)
- Family therapy through a primary mental health provider
Depending on your plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield may cover all or some of the services listed above. This includes sober living facilities. Contact your agent to clarify which of these services are covered if theyโre recommended by your treatment provider.