Aetna Massachusetts: Addiction Rehabs in MA that Take Aetna Insurance

Aetna is a company that provides health insurance plans in many areas of the U.S., including Massachusetts.³ The company provides coverage to an estimated 39 million members using a variety of plans, such as medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, and more.⁴

Aetna started as a life insurance company that was founded in 1853 and began to offer medical coverage in 1899.⁵ CVS acquired Aetna in 2018, creating a company that was focused on a community-based, open healthcare approach in order to help consumers improve and simplify their healthcare.⁵

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed in 2010, made significant changes to the coverage health insurance companies are required to offer.⁶ In particular, all long-term health insurance plans have to provide 10 essential health benefits, and the list includes substance use and mental health treatment.⁷

The specific coverage you can take advantage of for substance use treatment will depend on your individual plan, but you can rely on Aetna to help you with the care you need so you can maximize the benefit of your health insurance.⁸

Talk to your doctor about your substance use and work with them to create a recovery plan that meets your needs. Then, take the steps required to change your life for the better.

Massachusetts residents struggle with a wide range of substances, and you can get treatment for almost all of them. Common substances that are misused include marijuana, opioids, alcohol, crystal meth, prescription drugs, cocaine, and more.⁹

If you have problems with any of these substances, going to rehab is the first step to creating a healthier, happier life. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can turn your life around and grow in new ways.

There are a lot of approaches to rehab, and the best option for you will be decided by working with your doctor. Some of the elements that come into play are how long you’ve been using substances, what substances you struggle with, and what your use triggers are.

Some examples of rehab treatment include:^10,11

• Medical detox: Detox treatment for substance use is a process that helps a person rid their body of all traces of the substance. It can be an effective way to start treatment and help reduce cravings. After detox, you can move on to inpatient or outpatient treatment.
• Inpatient treatment programs: You’ll be living in a rehabilitation center while you learn new habits and address your substance use triggers in an inpatient program. This usually includes group and one-on-one therapy, as well as other activities to assist you in recovery.
• Outpatient programs: Outpatient substance use treatment is a form of addiction treatment that does not require the patient to live in a rehab facility. It can be done on an individual or group basis, and it often takes place at a clinic or office. Outpatient treatment is a good option for those who cannot take time off from work or school, or for those who do not have the financial resources to live in a rehab facility.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): An IOP is a more intensive form of outpatient treatment, which means that patients attend treatment sessions more frequently than they would in standard outpatient treatment. IOPs typically involve group therapy sessions and individual therapy sessions, as well as medication management if necessary.
• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): Partial hospitalization programs, or PHPs, offer a combination of group therapy, medication management, and other services. PHPs can be helpful for people who need more support than what is available in outpatient treatment, but who do not require full-time hospitalization.
• Aftercare: In order to assure your success, you’ll want to complete an aftercare program once your rehab treatment is over. Depending on the substance use disorder (SUD), an aftercare program may include regular meetings or check-ins, as well as continued access to therapy or counseling.

Do you struggle with mental health concerns alongside your substance use issues? If so, you might be surprised to realize that you’re not alone. It’s very common for those who misuse substances to also struggle with mental health.

Studies show that 50% of those with substance use issues also have a mental health diagnosis.¹² This combination is known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder.¹² Some of the mental health issues that may occur alongside substance use include PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and trauma.¹²

Because the ACA includes both mental health treatment and substance use as an essential health benefit, you can have confidence that your Aetna insurance will help you with treatment for a co-occurring disorder.⁷

It’s important to treat both your mental health and substance use problems together. This integrated treatment has been shown to be far more effective than treating only one problem or the other.¹³

1. Visit Massachusetts. (2014). Massachusetts Fun Facts.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Behavioral Health Barometer, Massachusetts.
3. Aetna. (2022). State Specific Information.
4. Aetna. (2022). Aetna Facts.
5. Aetna. (2022). Aetna History.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017). What is the Affordable Care Act?
7. Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). What Marketplace health insurance plans cover.
8. Aetna. (2022). If you’re struggling with drugs or alcohol, Aetna can help.
9. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, August 20). Commonly Used Drugs Charts.
10. Findtreatment.gov. (2019). Treatment Options.
11. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide: Treatment Settings.
12. National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders.
13. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). What are the treatments for comorbid substance use disorder and mental health conditions?