Jillian English

Veterans across the country struggle with addiction daily. In fact, 11% (more than 1 in 10) veterans who seek care through Veterans Affairs (VA) have a diagnosable substance use disorder.1 Unfortunately, this number is likely higher since many don’t seek the help they need out of fear of stigma, the high cost of care, or lack of nearby VA access. Does VA Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment? Yes, treatment for addiction is included in some capacity under VA benefits, and veterans who have a secondary health insurance plan may be able to use it in conjunction with their VA benefits. Your va insurance coverage will depend on your benefits, so it’s always important to check prior to seeking treatment. If you or a loved one is a veteran struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Most veterans are entitled to VA insurance (commonly known as VA benefits) that helps them get the care they need at an affordable price. Use this simple tool to quickly verify your alcohol and addiction treatment insurance. After you’ve checked your benefits, you’ll have a clear idea of which types of addiction treatment are covered by your insurance. From there, Alcohol.org, a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers (AAC), can help you find a treatment center near you where you can seek help for substance abuse. Does VA Cover Mental Health and Co-Occurring Disorders? Yes, VA insurance and healthcare benefits cover treatment for mental health and co-occurring disorders. VA benefits cover a variety of standard health benefits that help give veterans access to quality healthcare. Some of those healthcare benefits include regular checkups and treatment as well as appointments with specialists like mental health providers.2 In fact, the VA healthcare benefits cover mental health services that are designed to treat specific mental health disorders like PTSD, substance abuse problems, and depression.2 Despite these benefits for mental health and co-occurring disorders, coverage levels may vary, and you may be covered only for care at approved facilities. It’s important to verify your benefits to ensure treatment at a specific facility is covered. How Do I Get Addiction Treatment Through VA Insurance? You need to be enrolled in VA health care to obtain addiction treatment. The application process is straightforward and can be done through the VA’s website. Click here to check your eligibility for VA health care benefits and for information on how to apply. It will take about a week for the VA to make a decision on your application.3 Once you’re enrolled in VA healthcare benefits, you’ll need to coordinate your addiction treatment through a VA primary care provider who can make you an appointment with a mental health provider.4 If you don’t have a VA primary care provider, you should contact your nearest VA center or call the VA hotline at 877-222-8387 to talk to a representative about your needs. 4 The VA will then help you coordinate care through a VA facility. They will also help you find an approved outside facility if you don’t live near one. AAC works with veterans every day to educate them on alcohol addiction treatment and connect them with alcoholism treatment centers. Many of our treatment centers can work with VA benefits, making it possible for you to get the care you need without breaking the bank. [vob-aktify-cta title="Does your insurance cover alcohol treatment?" subtitle="Check your coverage online or text us your questions for more information"] What if I Have VA Insurance and Another Health Insurance Plan? If you have VA healthcare benefits and another health insurance plan, you may be wondering if that affects your addiction treatment coverage. Many vets use VA benefits in conjunction with secondary plans like Medicare, Medicaid, an employer-sponsored health plan, or TRICARE.5 In some cases, you may need to use both plans to obtain complete coverage and reduce your out-of-pocket costs for treatment. Be sure to contact your insurance providers before you seek care to obtain a summary of your benefits and coverage so you can understand how it works. Types of Insurance for Veterans Some of the most common insurance plans for veterans include the following: TRICARE—Active-duty service members, veterans, and their dependents are eligible to enroll in TRICARE. This private insurance program covers inpatient substance abuse treatment and treatment for mental health disorders, including inpatient and outpatient treatment.6,7 Medicaid—Available to low-income adults and families, pregnant women, the elderly, veterans, and people with disabilities, Medicaid is a federal health program run by the states. It often provides coverage at little to no cost.8 The VA doesn’t bill Medicaid for services rendered.5 Medicare—This federal health insurance program is for those over 65, people with disabilities, and those with end-stage renal disease.9 If eligible, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage (all-in-one) plan or smaller versions of Medicare (Medicare Part A, Part B, and/or Part D). Like Medicaid plans, Medicare isn’t billed by the VA, but if you have a Medicare supplemental health insurance plan, the VA may bill that plan for covered services.5 Your addiction treatment may be subject to cost-sharing requirements like copays or deductibles. It will depend on which eligibility priority group you are a part of through the VA.10 Contact your local VA to learn more about your priority group. Addiction Treatment Designed for Veterans AAC can help veterans struggling with alcohol addiction learn more about potential treatment options. We can also help you find a facility that will accept your VA health benefits and/or any other insurance plan you may have. Alcoholism is a serious disease. It’s important that you get the help you need, whether at a VA health care facility or an approved alternate program such as those offered by AAC. Verify Your Insurance for Veteran Rehab Alcohol.org has made it easy to check your insurance benefits and take the guesswork out of knowing what is and isn’t covered. Click here to complete the short benefits verification form to get started. [accordion title="American Addiction Centers (AAC)"] Laguna Treatment Hospital Adcare - Boston Sunrise House Desert Hope Greenhouse Oxford Treatment Center Recovery First River Oaks [/accordion][accordion title="Alcohol treatment near me"] Arizona California Colorado Florida Georiga Illinois Indiana Kentucky Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Mississippi Nevada New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennyslvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Washington Wisconsin [/accordion][accordion title="Other Insurance Providers"] Aetna Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna Humana Kaiser Permanente United Healthcare [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab"] Alcohol rehab centers near me 28 day alcohol rehab 30 day alcohol rehab 60 day alcohol rehab 90 day alcohol rehab Choosing a rehab center Court-ordered rehab Dual diagnosis rehab Executive rehab Extended care rehab Free rehab High profile rehab Holistic rehab programs Inpatient rehab Paying for rehab Luxury rehab Mens rehab Nature based rehab Outpatient rehab Private rehab Residential Rehab State funded rehab Teen rehab Veterans rehab Womens rehab [/accordion] [sources] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Substance Use and Military Life DrugFacts. Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). About VA health benefits. Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). How to apply for VA health care. Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Schedule and manage health appointments. Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). VA Health Care and Other Insurance. TRICARE. (n.d.). TRICARE Home. Military Times. (2017). Tricare expands mental health, substance abuse, opioid treatment options. Medicaid. (n.d.). Medicaid: Medicaid. HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). People with Medicare. Veterans Affairs. (2020). VA Priority Groups. [/sources] ...

If you’re a California resident with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) coverage, you’re one of roughly 4.5 million covered members.1 BCBS in California provides high-quality, affordable healthcare coverage to millions of residents. In addition to providing coverage for basic health services, your BCBS CA plan may also provide coverage for alcohol rehab and treatment. Be sure to check with a BCBS representative to verify your unique benefits and coverage. Does BCBS Cover Alcohol Treatment in California? Generally speaking, BCBS covers a wide variety of healthcare and mental health services. Many BCBS CA plans will provide coverage for inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), as well as medication-assisted treatment (MAT).2 In compliance with federal healthcare laws, BCBS CA treats all mental health services equally with physical healthcare services in terms of coverage limits and details. Under the health care reform law referred to as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all health plans must provide some level of coverage for mental and behavioral health services.3 Specifically, treatment for substance use disorders, which include alcohol use and abuse, must be covered in some capacity by insurers, including your BCBS plan.3 Frequently Asked Questions To help you learn more about alcohol treatment coverage under BCBS plans in California, review the answers below to commonly asked questions: Does BCBS Cover Rehab in CA? BCBS plans cover the costs associated with rehabilitation in California, provided that the facility at which care is being received is an in-network provider, and a Mental Health Services Administrator (MSHA) from BCBS CA has authorized your treatment (unless it’s an emergency).2 Out-of-network providers may also be covered, but at a lower cost. Check with your specific summary of benefits and coverage to view your plan’s details. How Long is Treatment Covered? The covered length of treatment will depend upon your situation and your plan selected. Be sure to talk with a BCBS CA representative to verify your levels of coverage. Are both Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab Covered? Under all BCBS plans, many different types of treatment methods for substance use disorders are covered, including inpatient and outpatient care. According to the BCBS Substance Use Resource Center website, the following types of treatment options may be considered and covered:4 Detox treatment (also referred to as withdrawal management): With this type of treatment, you’d be evaluated, stabilized (detoxed), and prepared to enter a recovery program. Inpatient care: With this type of treatment, you’d have 24/7 care in a hospital or clinical setting, typically for 30, 60, or 90 days. Detox treatment is typically done within an inpatient setting. Residential care: Similar to inpatient care, residential care involves living at a facility and receiving treatment, but it’s typically for a longer period of time, often months or a full year. Outpatient Care: With this type of treatment, you’d receive counseling and treatment at a facility, but you’d return home following your session(s) each day. Please note that the treatment methods explained above are not an all-exhaustive list, and specific treatment may not be the recommended option for you. Only a provider can determine what type of treatment you may respond to the best. Does BCBS in CA Cover Co-Occurring Disorders? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a co-occurring disorder means that someone has both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder.5 The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that an estimated 7.7 million Americans have a co-occurring disorder.6 This means that it’s incredibly common and that if you’re struggling with both a substance use disorder and mental health disorder, you’re not alone. To effectively treat a co-occurring disorder, an integrated approach to treating both the substance use and mental health disorder is recommended. Because the ACA mandates coverage for mental and behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment and behavioral health treatment, your BCBS plan in CA should provide some level of coverage for treatment of your co-occurring disorder.2 How to Check My BCBS CA Coverage Checking your BCBS CA plan coverage before seeking treatment is essential in order to avoid surprise medical bills. Understanding your coverage will help you feel empowered when you go to choose a health care provider because you’ll know that you’re choosing affordable and quality health care. But, understanding how to check your BCBS plan details can be confusing. To do so, call the number on the back of your insurance card and speak to a representative who can walk you through your plan’s details. Another way to check your coverage, which may be quicker and easier, is to do so online. Using the Blue Cross mobile app, or the website, log in to your account. If you don’t have an account online, be sure to follow the site or app’s steps to create an account. You’ll need to have your insurance card handy if you’re creating an account. Once you’ve logged in:7 Navigate to “My Coverage” and click on that link. Then, select “Medical”. Then, select “What’s Covered.” Then, you’ll be able to find your behavioral health, mental health, and substance use treatment coverage details. Here is where you’ll be able to obtain information about your plan’s requirements for getting services (e.g., preauthorization details, in-network vs. out-of-network details, and referrals), covered services, your payment responsibilities, and your plan’s payment responsibilities. Click here to learn more. Rehab at Laguna Treatment Center in California If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol abuse and you’re seeking treatment, we’re here to help. Alcohol.org is a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers (AAC), a nationwide provider of treatment centers. AAC works with a variety of insurers, including BCBS in CA, and provides rehab in California at Laguna Treatment Hospital. This facility is a covered facility under many BCBS plans. When you arrive at Laguna, you will go through an hour-long admissions process, which includes a nurse evaluation, blood and urine samples, and a vitals check. If you’re experiencing acute symptoms of withdrawal, you’ll be seen immediately. You may also be given medications, depending on your situation. Thereafter, you'll be evaluated by the center's medical director within 24 hours of arrival. From there, your treatment plan will be decided so that it best fits your unique needs. While most necessities will be provided, you’ll want to bring enough clothes for one week, as well as any items that may make your stay more comfortable (e.g., linens, blankets, and personal memorabilia). Seek Treatment at Laguna Treatment Hospital If you’re ready to seek treatment for alcoholism and would like to learn more about rehab with American Addiction Centers (AAC), call our admissions navigators today at [phone]. Our admissions navigators can answer any questions you may have about the facility, our approach to treatment, what services are covered under your insurance and how to get admitted. All calls are 100% confidential and there is no pressure to make any decisions today. Remember, you’re not alone. We’ll be with you every step of the way from helping you understand your insurance to meeting you on your first day at Laguna and welcoming you into our alumni programs following the completion of your treatment.  [accordion title="American Addiction Centers (AAC)"] Adcare - Boston Sunrise House Desert Hope Greenhouse Oxford Treatment Center Recovery First River Oaks [/accordion][accordion title="Alcohol treatment near me"] Arizona Colorado Florida Georiga Illinois Indiana Kentucky Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Mississippi Nevada New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennyslvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Washington Wisconsin [/accordion][accordion title="Other Insurance Providers"] Aetna Cigna Humana Kaiser Permanente United Healthcare Veterans [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab"] Alcohol rehab centers near me 28 day alcohol rehab 30 day alcohol rehab 60 day alcohol rehab 90 day alcohol rehab Choosing a rehab center Court-ordered rehab Dual diagnosis rehab Executive rehab Extended care rehab Free rehab High profile rehab Holistic rehab programs Paying for rehab Luxury rehab Mens rehab Nature based rehab Private rehab Residential Rehab State funded rehab Teen rehab Veterans rehab Womens rehab [/accordion] [sources] Blue Shield of California. (n.d.). About. Blue Shield of California. (n.d.) Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Benefits. HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Mental health & substance abuse coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield. (n.d.). Substance Use Resource Center. SAMHSA. (2021, August). The Case for Screening and Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, August 15). Comorbidity: substance use and other mental disorders. Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan. (n.d.). Behavioral health coverage. [/sources] ...