Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

If you or a loved one are looking for drug or alcohol addiction treatment, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) may provide full or partial coverage for the cost of rehab. Learn more specific health insurance coverage information here or by contacting American Addiction Centers (AAC) at .

Yes. Blue Cross Blue Shield covers drug and alcohol rehab.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) aims to provide you with the most current and updated information on addiction insurance coverage.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

Yes, many Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans include coverage for drug and alcohol addiction as well as mental health conditions. However, the amount of coverage depends on your policy. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act require health insurance companies and group health plans to provide equal coverage for mental health services, including treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), as they do medical coverage.¹

This act was created to expand mental health and substance use coverage for people across the country. As a result, many BCBS companies may provide affordable coverage, and that is reflected in the pricing. The amount of coverage you have can vary widely based on several factors, such as the state you live in, whether the facility is in-network or out-of-network, the length of your stay, and your insurance plan level. The cost of drug and alcohol addiction treatment will also depend on the rehab center you attend, including the type of program (e.g., inpatient vs. outpatient), and the services received.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is made up of 36 health insurance companies that are independently owned and operated. The Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program (FEP), provides coverage for more than 5.5 million federal employees, retirees, and their families.²

BCBS has individual and family plans that include the bronze, silver, gold, and platinum plans (categories are dependent on your state). Bronze plans have the lowest cost, and the price of plans goes up from there and includes silver, gold, and platinum.³

What Rehab Centers Take Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) has various rehab facilities around the country that provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment. If you have a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance plan, the following AAC facilities may accept BCBS for drug and alcohol rehab.

Laguna Treatment Center, Orange County, CA
River Oaks Treatment Center, Tampa, FL
Recovery First Treatment Center, Hollywood, FL
Greenhouse Treatment Center, Dallas, TX
Oxford Treatment Center, Etta, MS
Desert Hope Treatment Center, Las Vegas, NV
AdCare Hospital, Worcester, MA

There are various treatment programs for individuals struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, so don’t give up if the first program you check out doesn’t meet your individual needs. There are rehabs near me that can provide the treatment you need. Check out the directory to find a list of facilities and programs. You can search by location and filter by BCBS insurance.

Do I Need to Choose an In-Network Treatment Facility?

In-network providers have a contract with the insurance carrier to offer services at a set price. This means that your out-of-pocket expenses will typically be lower than if you choose an out-of-network facility. In some cases, you may even be responsible for the full cost of rehab if you choose an out-of-network facility.

Whenever possible, try to choose a facility that is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). If you are unable to find an in-network provider or prefer a facility that is out-of-network, you may be able to work out a payment plan with the facility so you can pay back the cost of treatment over time.

Different Types of Addiction Treatment Blue Cross Blue Shield May Cover

Your Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance plan may cover the following addiction treatment services:^{4, 5}

Detox: In some cases, you may need assistance when detoxing from drugs and alcohol, which can potentially be uncomfortable or even life-threatening. Medical detox helps you safely withdraw from drugs and alcohol with around-the-clock medical supervision. You might also be given medications to help minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient/residential care: These programs provide intensive, structured care in a home-like setting. You will live at a facility for the duration of the program and attend individual and group therapy sessions during the day. Many inpatient programs last between 15–90 days depending on the program you’re in and your individual needs.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP): Partial hospitalization programs give you the opportunity to live at home while attending drug and alcohol treatment during the day.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP): Intensive outpatient programs involve attending substance use treatment programs a few evenings a week. In an intensive outpatient program, you can live at home and may be able to maintain certain responsibilities such as school or work.
Outpatient treatment: Individuals who have completed inpatient treatment often attend outpatient treatment for ongoing support on their journey to sobriety. You live at home and spend 10–12 hours a week at the treatment facility for therapy and support.

Your total out-of-pocket costs for drug and alcohol treatment depend on the specific BCBS plan you have. Monthly premiums, copays, deductibles, and other potential costs all vary depending on the plan. But, with BCBS insurance, at least a portion of your costs should be covered under your plan.

How to Verify What Your Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan Covers

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 20.4 million people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder (SUD) in 2019, but only 4.2 million people (1.5%) received any type of treatment.⁶

There are many barriers to drug and alcohol addiction treatment, including cost, but you don’t have to let the price keep you from ending the cycle of abuse and living a happier and healthier life. You can find out what rehab facilities accept your Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) drug rehab insurance by contacting your plan administrator, or you can work with the treatment center directly to answer all your payment questions.

Before deciding on a rehab center, check your BCBS policy benefits to determine which costs will be covered by your insurance plan and which will be out-of-pocket for you. Call the number on your insurance card or log in to your account on the BCBS website to determine how much you may need to cover in terms of copays and any deductible that must be reached before coverage kicks in for the services you need.

What Should I Do if Blue Cross Blue Shield Won't Cover the Total Cost of Rehab?

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) may cover some, if not all, of your rehab costs, depending on the policy you have. In some cases, your policy may not cover all the expenses related to treatment at drug and alcohol rehab facilities and treatment centers. Speaking with an admissions specialist at the rehab center you are considering will help you get a deeper understanding of what is covered by your policy and what your financial commitment will be.

Still, not everyone has access to insurance that will cover the full cost of treatment, but everyone deserves treatment from a great rehabilitation center. Despite the cost, it’s important not to let financial concerns hold you back from getting treatment.

Many programs also offer sliding scale options, in which the treatment cost is adjusted according to your salary and what you can realistically pay. Other options include grants and scholarships.

For more information on other ways to pay, visit these resources:

Sources

HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Mental health & substance abuse coverage
Blue Cross Blue Shield. (n.d.). Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program: About us.
Blue Cross Blue Shield. (n.d.). Blue Shield of California: When it comes to health coverage we can help.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Treatment approaches for drug addiction.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). What is substance abuse treatment?
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP20-07-01-001, NSDUH Series H-55). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.