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.
You can also contact American Addiction Centers (AAC) at . AAC is proud to be in the Blue Shield of California network and can verify your insurance online or over the phone and provide answers to questions you may have about addiction treatment.
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.