Substance abuse disorder is one of the most difficult situations that an individual can ever go through in their lives. Substance abuse alters the entire chemical composition of the brain, which makes them unable to control their thoughts and actions. A person addicted to substances constantly struggles between wanting to achieve complete abstinence and being unable to control their strong desire to just give in to their addiction.
In such circumstances, seeking professional help becomes imperative. However, there is a problem with this as well. Admitting oneself to a rehabilitation program comes with a hefty price, and if the addict is the sole provider of the family, it leads to loss of income as well. All these hardships make the person even more helpless, further taking away their ability to think wisely. So, what should one do in such a situation? The answer is availing of health insurance that covers treatment for substance abuse. There are numerous health insurance providers that offer assistance for the country’s top rehab centers. For instance, drug rehabs accepted by Tricare guarantee top-notch services while ensuring that the individual is financially protected. If you want to know more about insurance coverage for substance abuse, read the article below:
Does Every Health Insurance Cover Treatment for Substance Abuse?
According to the Affordable Care Act, mental health and substance use disorder services are considered essential health facilities that your health insurance plan must cover. However, not every plan in the US provides coverage for these issues. Moreover, the extent of coverage, which includes the type of treatment, co-pays, deductions, and network providers, also differs.
In short, not every health insurance policy covers treatment for substance abuse. This is why it is important to review the specific policies of different health insurance plans when shopping for one to ensure that the plan you choose covers treatment for substance use disorder.
What are the Facilities Covered?
Although offering financial assistance for substance abuse is not compulsory, most of the top health insurance companies have recognized the significance of these services and have been providing coverage much before the Affordable Care Act was introduced. So, what are the common facilities that most of the plans cover? Let us understand by referring to the section below:
Detoxification Facilities
When a person decides to recover from substance use disorder, the first thing they must do is detoxify their body from the substance. However, detoxification comes with a lot of withdrawal symptoms that are difficult for an addict to handle on their own.
High fever, hallucinations, and, in worse cases, suicidal tendencies often accompany detoxification. Most insurance plans understand the gravity of this situation and ensure that the addict is provided with complete financial assistance to undergo the process with peace of mind.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT is used as a part of the overall treatment for substance use disorder. Medicines such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are used to help eliminate withdrawal symptoms and control the emotions of the addict.
MAT solely aims to replace one addictive substance with another, i.e., the medicine. However, under the supervision of medical experts, they can be effectively used to overcome extreme pain and discomfort. However, remember that to achieve successful rehabilitation, your therapist must use MAT as a part of the treatment rather than solely focusing on it.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy that has emerged from the theories of behaviorism aims to focus on the negative behaviors of the addict and replace them with positive ones. The psychologist in these therapies helps you learn different mechanisms to cope with negative thoughts and bring positive changes to your life.
Remember that although these are some of the common services offered by some of the major health insurance companies, it is always better to cross-check with your service providers to ensure you don’t face any unforeseen problems later.
Conclusion
With the rising cost of healthcare in the US, it is essential that you choose an insurance plan that covers holistic services, which includes treatment for substance use disorder and mental health.
Only when your insurance policy covers all these essential services can you rest assured that you will be safeguarded from any difficult situations that you may encounter in life.
