There are few things more frustrating than receiving an unexpected medical bill, especially when you were operating under the assumption that the services rendered were covered under your health insurance plan. There is an abundance of different medical insurance providers, each offering tiered coverage to its members. Understanding the intricacies of one’s health insurance coverage can be surprisingly complicated, especially when it comes to treatment for substance abuse and/ or addiction.
Addiction was once not widely recognized as a mental health illness, but rather was considered to be a choice, and many insurance companies would refuse to pay for services related to the treatment of addiction to drugs or alcohol. Due to the fact that substance abuse is now accurately recognized as a mental health disorder and is considered to be a treatable condition, health insurance companies are obligated to provide partial or full (depending on the elected plan) addiction treatment coverage to their members. Further, insurance companies must treat coverage for addiction the same way they treat their coverage for any other medical and/ or mental health condition.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is the largest not-for-profit managed care organization in America and was founded in 1945. It is made up of three organizations: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and Permanente Medical Groups. It offers high-quality and affordable healthcare through individual and family medical insurance plans. As of 2021, Kaiser Permanente plans became available for purchase through the Marketplace in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Washington, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Oregon. The specific substance abuse and/ or addiction treatment coverage may vary between Kaiser Permanente plans, but all include some level of coverage for in-network providers delivering outpatient, intensive outpatient, and inpatient services. Prior to committing to a treatment program, it is best to verify with the rehab program you are considering that they accept your plan. It can also be helpful to call a representative at Kaiser Permanente to make sure you are aware of any potential out-of-pocket expenses related to attending the rehab program you selected.
Rehab Coverage
Substance abuse and/ or addiction treatment programs can be quite costly. There is, however, a significant range of potential costs and fees related to each treatment program. Some programs like Friendly House work with insurance companies (e.g. Kaiser) and do accept insurance as a form of payment (or partial payment, depending on your plan), while other treatment programs may not accept any type of insurance. Hence, it is important to bear in mind that although there are many addiction treatment programs available, not all health plans provide coverage for every facility and/ or program.
For Information and Support
Substance abuse and addiction can be incredibly dangerous and can result in severe short and long-term consequences. If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse or addiction, please get help as soon as possible. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. There is no reason to go through this alone, and we are here to help. Please feel free to reach out to us for further information or with any questions regarding substance abuse or addiction. We are available anytime via telephone at: 213-389-9964, or you can always email us at: info@friendlyhousela.org.
