Background Image
In-Network with AAC

United Healthcare Insurance Coverage for Alcohol Rehab

If you’re looking for drug and alcohol treatment for you or a loved one, you likely have some questions about the financial side of things: how much does it cost, and will insurance cover all or some of the expenses? If you have United Healthcare insurance, there’s a good chance your plan will provide assistance for drug and alcohol rehab treatment. Your out-of-pocket expenses will vary based on your policy, location, and which rehab center you choose.
Step 1/4 Check Coverage
* These fields are required
*
Aetna
WXY1030Z0
If you or a loved one are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

About United Healthcare Group

United Healthcare is one of the largest health insurance providers in the United States and offers health benefit programs for all ages and lifestyles, including those living with substance use disorder. The company offers a convenient online portal for policyholders, including virtual visits and tools to help you estimate how much you’ll pay for specific healthcare procedures and services.

UHC provides a wide range of health insurance plans to more than 115 million customers across the country.1Policyholders select the plan that makes the most sense for them and their family’s healthcare needs.

Rehabs that Accept United Healthcare Insurance

United Healthcare offers a large, well-established network of partnerships with healthcare organizations and rehabilitation facilities throughout the country. The company partners with more than 1.3 million physicians and healthcare providers as well as 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide.2 If you are a United Healthcare policyholder, you can log in to your health plan online to find an up-to-date list of network providers (e.g., doctors, hospitals, and other care providers) that accept your plan to help cover medical care expenses.

United Healthcare insurance is accepted at many rehab centers throughout the United States, including most American Addiction Centers (AAC) facilities. AAC offers treatment for drug and alcohol addiction as well as co-occurring disorders.

To learn more about United Healthcare coverage options at an AAC facility, call us at to talk with an admissions navigator today. We can help verify your insurance while you’re on the phone to determine what costs will be covered.

United Healthcare Plans and Coverage Levels

United Healthcare offers many plan choices to fit you and your family’s needs. The plans vary from state-to-state. No matter where you live, United Healthcare offers many levels of care to choose from. Each plan covers different things at varying rates. Options include:3,4,5,6

United Healthcare Choice: This plan offers in-network coverage that includes more than 895,000 providers across the United States. This plan offers fixed copay amounts, and you can obtain specialty services without a referral as long as you stay in-network. If you choose an out-of-network provider under this plan, your insurance will not help cover expenses.

United Healthcare Choice Plus: This plan allows you to choose both in-network and out-of-network providers. Your costs will be reduced when you stay in-network. If you choose an out-of-network provider for addiction treatment services, you will have higher out-of-pocket costs.

United Healthcare Options PPO: This plan offers savings for out-of-pocket costs when you get care from a member of the preferred provider network. You can receive treatment and services from any provider, but choosing in-network providers will help you keep your out-of-pocket costs down.

United Healthcare members can attend drug and alcohol rehab anywhere in the country as long as they choose an in-network provider. With United Healthcare Choice Plus or United Healthcare Options PPO, you can work with an out-of-network provider, but your co-pay and other out-of-pocket expenses will be higher.

Within these United Healthcare insurance plans, there are also varying levels of coverage: bronze, silver, and gold. Bronze policies generally have lower monthly premiums and higher deductibles and are best for those who do not access care frequently. Silver plans offer slightly higher premiums and lower deductibles. Gold plans have the highest premiums but the lowest deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for services received—best for those who frequently see doctors or require healthcare services. United Healthcare plans can also be used with coinsurance policies to pay for drug and alcohol addiction treatment services.

Does United Healthcare Cover Alcohol Rehab?

Yes, United Healthcare covers alcohol abuse treatment for its members throughout the United States. The insurance provider has partnerships with drug and alcohol addiction centers to provide in-network detox and treatment services at discounted rates to members. Your plan may also allow you to choose out-of-network providers, often at a less discounted rate. The number of days at a rehab facility covered by your specific plan will be discussed with a counselor at the facility before admission.

Attending drug and alcohol rehab may require a referral from your primary care provider before insurance coverage kicks in to pay for treatment. In most cases, United Healthcare does not require prior authorization before covering drug and alcohol treatment programs. However, they do ask members to give them a heads-up before receiving these services. In some cases—for example, if you need medical detox services—you may be required to present evidence that these services are medically necessary for coverage to be authorized.

Types of United Healthcare Alcohol Rehab

Your United Healthcare policy may cover the following addiction treatment services:7

  • Detoxification.
  • Inpatient medical detox (including medications to help ease symptoms of withdrawal).
  • Inpatient and outpatient care.
  • Group therapy provided by licensed counselors, psychologists, and/or physicians.
  • Individual and family therapy sessions.
  • Medications needed for both drug and alcohol treatment plus other conditions you may have.

United Healthcare also offers health insurance via Medicare for those who meet the criteria for government-subsidized insurance policies. Drug and alcohol treatment programs are often covered. Medicaid coverage provides up to 190 days of inpatient rehabilitation in a psychiatric hospital throughout an individual’s lifetime. There may be exceptions to this rule, and an extended inpatient stay may be covered if it is documented as a medical necessity. For those with United Healthcare policies under Medicaid, there are currently no limitations on coverage of the length of time in outpatient drug rehabilitation programs.

How to Pay the Costs Not Covered by United Healthcare Insurance

In some cases, your specific insurance policy may not cover all of the expenses of attending drug and alcohol addiction rehab facilities. Admissions navigators and counselors are available to discuss any out-of-pocket expenses, additional financing options, and a potential payment plan. Some rehab facilities offer scholarships and other benefits to help offset your expenses.

Even if your United Healthcare insurance policy doesn’t cover some or all of your rehab expenses, don’t let that keep you from starting on the road to recovery and sobriety. Getting treatment now is more important than waiting until you have insurance coverage or the means to pay in cash. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment saves lives. There are financial and scholarship options available at many rehab centers for you or your loved one.

How Do I Check My UnitedHealthcare Insurance Benefits?

The cost of coverage for substance abuse treatment varies according to your plan. Call the number on the back of your insurance card or log in to your United Healthcare online account to determine what is covered (and in some cases, for how long). You can also call AAC today and speak with an admissions navigator to determine what your plan will cover.

Verifying Your United Healthcare Coverage for Alcohol Rehab

United Healthcare has partnerships with drug and alcohol rehab centers throughout the United States. It is accepted at most AAC facilities across the country, where we offer treatment for substance use disorder and co-occurring health issues. To learn more about AAC and how your rehab costs will be covered, call us at .

Sources

  1. Top Ten Reviews. (2018). United Healthcare.
  2. United Healthcare.(2021). About us.
  3. UnitedHealth Group. Group benefit plans.
  4. UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealthcare Choice.
  5. UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus.
  6. UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealthcare Options – PPO.
  7. United Healthcare. (2020). Alcohol, Chemical and/or Substance Abuse: Detoxification and Rehabilitation

Get the Care & Support You Need

Rediscover your joy during your stay at one of our American Addiction Center's facilities. We provide you the care you need to get clean and stay sober.

Call 888-685-5770

Guides for other health insurance providers