Using Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut For Addiction Treatment

Updated Nov 3, 2024

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance provides a variety of health services through a portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services. Those with Anthem insurance in Connecticut may have confusion about what their insurance plan covers when it comes to substance abuse and mental health services. This page is intended to help you figure out what your Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut healthcare does and does not cover when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction treatment.

Connecticut and Substance Use

Connecticut is a small state by size but still has a population of over 3.5 million people.¹Like many areas in the United States, Connecticut residents struggle with substance use disorders (SUDs). Among active sufferers of substance use seeking help in 2019, Connecticut reported that 37% reported heroin or opioids as their primary drug.²

An additional 36% reported alcohol as a primary drug, and 13% reported marijuana or THC-related drugs as their primary drug of use.² These drugs have serious consequences. In one year, there were 948 opioid-involved deaths in Connecticut, or 27.5 deaths per 100,000 people.³

What Is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut?

Blue Cross Blue Shield is an affiliation of 34 independently owned and operated companies that together provide Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage across the country.⁴Blue Cross and Blue Shield were originally two separate companies that operated in the early 1900s, and the businesses joined together in the 1940s.⁵

In Connecticut, the Blue Cross Blue Shield company is known as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut and is part of Anthem Health Plans, Inc.⁴Anthem BCBS offers individual and family rehabilitation plans, along with providing employer plans, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage plans.⁶

Does Anthem Cover Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Connecticut?

If you’re looking for rehab in Connecticut, it’s normal to wonder if your Anthem BCBS coverage will help you pay for it. According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all long-term health insurance plans must provide coverage for 10 essential health benefits—one of which is mental health and substance use treatment.⁷

The specific coverage you’ll get, and how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket, will depend on your insurance plan. It’s important to choose a provider that is within your health insurance network to keep your costs down. Many health insurance plans don’t provide any non-emergency coverage outside of network.⁸

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is proudly part of the Anthem BCBS provider network. While AAC doesn’t have any treatment centers in Connecticut, there are options nearby, such as AdCare Rhode Island. You can also access treatment options in other areas of the country if you feel the need to seek treatment further away from your home environment.

How to Check My Anthem Coverage for Addiction Rehab in Connecticut

Finding a treatment facility can feel overwhelming but knowing in advance what your Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance will cover can give you peace of mind. The good news is, checking your coverage is easy. To learn about your specific coverage, contact one of our admissions navigators at , click here, or fill out the form below.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs Covered By Anthem

People can suffer from an addiction to a variety of substances, and addiction treatment centers can help. For example, you or a loved one might struggle with addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription drugs, or other drugs.⁹

While the coverage level will depend on your specific insurance policy, your Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut coverage may be able to cover at least a portion of the treatment costs.

What Rehab Programs does Anthem BCBS Connecticut Cover?

There are many ways to treat an SUD; your doctor will determine which type of treatment is best for you based on your medical needs and substance use history. Some of the common treatment options for substance use are:^10,11

Medical detox: You’ll start treatment by getting the drugs out of your body (detoxing). A medical team can help manage your withdrawal symptoms, so you detox safely.
Inpatient treatment programs: During an inpatient treatment program, you’ll live at the facility and receive full-time care that includes counseling. This option is a good choice for those whose home environment is a trigger for substance use.
Outpatient programs: Outpatient programs are a good option for those who can live at home without using substances, or those who have recently completed an inpatient program. During this type of treatment, you can continue to work or attend school while attending a few hours of treatment each week.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): If you need more intensive treatment but can safely live at home, an intensive outpatient program could be a great fit. You’ll attend treatment for several hours a week but be at home at night and on weekends.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): If you need full-time treatment and can stay at home each night, a PHP could be a good choice. You’ll attend treatment several hours a day, at least five days a week. At night and on days off, you live at home. It’s important to note that if your home environment is a substance use trigger, you’ll be better off in an inpatient program.
Aftercare: Once you complete your program, you’ll start to live your new substance-free life and practice your new habits and coping skills. To be successful, you’ll need ongoing support, which is where aftercare programs come in. They provide the encouragement you need to solidify your substance-free lifestyle.

Does Anthem in CT Cover Mental Health & Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Mental health care is one of the 10 essential benefits required by the ACA.⁷As a result, you can have confidence that your Anthem BCBS Connecticut coverage will help you with both substance use and mental health needs.

It’s very common to have both a mental health diagnosis and an SUD, a situation known as a dual diagnosis. In fact, 50% of those with substance use problems have a co-occurring mental disorder.¹² There are many common mental health concerns that are dually diagnosed with substance use disorder, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), co-occurring disorders, personality disorders, and more.¹²

It’s important to treat your mental health concerns and your substance use at the same time since they often affect each other. Integrated treatment for both problems at once has been consistently shown to have a better outcome than treating only one issue or the other.¹³Choosing a treatment facility that specializes in dual diagnosis can help you get the treatment you need.

Which Addiction Rehab Centers in Connecticut Take Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance?

AAC has facilities around the country that are in-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Some AAC facilities to consider include:

Adcare Rhode Island: If you are looking for a tranquil location to begin your recovery, Adcare Rhode Island is a great option. Adcare has several locations for both inpatient and outpatient care. The residential program features a fitness center and basketball court to help you stay active as you begin your new life.
Desert Hope Treatment Center: This residential treatment center in Las Vegas, Nevada, is located in a quiet residential area. The center specializes in co-occurring conditions and also offers an intensive outpatient program, partial hospitalization treatment, and a specialty program for the unique needs of veterans.
Greenhouse Treatment Center: Located in Dallas, Texas, with an additional campus in Arlington, Greenhouse Treatment Center is a great option if you’re interested in experiencing an environment that’s very different from Connecticut. The center offers a variety of treatment programs, along with a specialty program that focuses on the needs of LGBTQ adults. You’ll enjoy spa services, two pools, a hot tub, and more as you transition to a new way of approaching life.
Laguna Treatment Center: Laguna Treatment Center is located in Southern California, near Laguna Beach. The center offers medical detox and an inpatient program in the scenic, serene San Joaquin Hills of Aliso Viejo.
Oxford Treatment Center: If you’ve always loved animals, especially horses, consider getting your treatment at Oxford Treatment Center in Etta, Mississippi. The rural natural environment, complete with a private lake, outdoor areas, walking trails, and equestrian center, will help you get a fresh start on life.
River Oaks Treatment Center: If you’re looking for a holistic approach to substance treatment while sticking to evidence-backed practices, River Oaks Treatment Center could be a perfect fit. Come to sunny Florida and experience physical, spiritual, and psychological renewal through 3 levels of inpatient and outpatient care.

Choosing to get treatment and live a substance-free life takes courage, and it is difficult to do it alone. AAC is ready to partner with you on your journey to a new way of living.

If AAC is not in-network, take a look at our directory and filter by “insurance.” There are rehabs near me that can provide the treatment you need. Check out the directory to find a list of facilities and programs.

Sources

Connecticut’s Official State Website. (2022). General Description and Facts.
Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. (2020). Annual Statistical Report SFY 2019.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Connecticut: Opioid-Involved Deaths and Related Harms.
Blue Cross Blue Shield. (2022). BCBS® Companies and Licensees.
Blue Cross Blue Shield. (2022). An Industry Pioneer.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. (2005-2022). Home Page.NIMH » Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders.
Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). What Marketplace health insurance plans cover.
Marketplace.gov (2021). What you should know about provider networks.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). What is Substance Abuse Treatment?
Findtreatment.gov (2019, October). Treatment Options.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide: Treatment Settings.
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, April). What are the treatments for comorbid substance use disorder and mental health conditions?