Drug and Alcohol Rehab with Blue Cross Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California offers quality health plans for residents of the Golden State.² Founded in San Francisco in 1939, today Blue Shield of California has 22 locations and 4.5 million members.³

Blue Shield of California is one of 35 independently and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies.⁴ The company believes Californians deserve access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, which is why they work to offer access to one of the large provider networks in the state along with comprehensive benefits.

Yes, although coverage may vary depending on your Blue Shield of California plan. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all marketplace insurance plans must provide 10 essential health benefits, one of which is treatment for substance use disorder (SUD).⁵

Because SUD treatment is included, this means your Blue Shield of California insurance plan will provide coverage in some capacity. It’s a good idea to select a treatment center that is part of the Blue Shield of California provider network so you can get the most coverage. If you have questions about your coverage, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card to speak with a representative.

Types of Addiction Treatment that Blue Shield of California May Cover

Blue Shield of California has individual, family, and Medicare plans which means coverage will vary.⁶ Still, your insurance plan should cover at least some of the cost of rehab for drug or alcohol use.

Blue Shield of California may cover several types of addiction treatment, including:^7,8

• Medical detox: Some patients’ continuum of care includes medical detox, although this is not always necessary. Medical detox helps rid the body of substances and allows you to withdraw from substances comfortably and safely.
• Inpatient rehab programs: Inpatient programs can be a good option for patients who need around-the-clock care. You live in a facility for weeks or months while receiving different types of therapy (e.g., group, individual).
• Outpatient rehab programs: Outpatient programs allow you to live at home and attend treatment several hours per week. This can be a good option if you have family, school, or work responsibilities while in treatment. In many cases, outpatient programs follow inpatient treatment.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP): During an IOP, you will attend therapy sessions several hours a day, several days a week with sessions conducted by a licensed therapist.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP): During a PHP, you will stay in a hospital environment for much of the day but return home at night.
• Aftercare: Once you complete an inpatient or outpatient program, aftercare gives you the support you need to maintain sobriety.

Your Blue Shield of California plan will determine the level of coverage you’ll receive for addiction treatment. Although you may be responsible for paying certain out-of-pocket expenses like copays and deductibles, you can take solace in knowing that your insurance plan will provide partial, if not full, coverage for addiction to substances such as alcohol, heroin, and prescription drugs.

Yes, Blue Shield of California covers co-occurring mental health and addiction treatment, although coverage may vary depending on your specific Blue Shield of California insurance plan. The ACA mandates that providers cover both mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUD).⁶

Co-occurring disorders are common in people with SUD.⁹ In fact, about half of people with a SUD also have a mental health disorder.⁹ If you are dealing with a dual diagnosis, you can seek treatment for both conditions together.⁹

Finding a treatment facility can feel overwhelming, but knowing in advance what your Blue Shield of California insurance plan will cover can give you peace of mind. The good news is that checking your coverage is easy. To learn about your specific coverage for rehab in California or out of state, fill out the form below.

No matter what substance you’re struggling with, help is available. Addiction treatment programs range from detox and inpatient rehab to outpatient care and long-term recovery support. Use our search tool to find rehabs near you that fit your needs. Search by insurance provider, level of addiction treatment, location, and more.

1. Blue California. (2022). Behavioral health services program.
2. Blue California. (n.d.). Home.
3. Blue Shield California. (2021). Fact sheet.
4. Blue Cross Blue Shield. (2022). BCBS companies and licenses.
5. Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). What marketplace health insurance plans cover.
6. Blue California. (n.d.). Shop plans.
7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Types of treatment programs.
8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Treatment approaches for drug addiction drugfacts.
9. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Comorbidity: Substance use disorders and other mental illnesses drugfacts.