Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina: Addiction Rehabs & Detox Centers in NC That Take BCBS

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you’re not alone. Addiction is a common disease in North Carolina and across the country with 1 in 14 Americans reporting a substance use disorder (SUD).¹

In North Carolina, the number of residents addicted to opioids increased 55% between 2014 and 2016.² And in 2018, nearly 80% of overdose deaths in the state involved opioids, with 1,783 total fatalities.³

Deciding to get treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is courageous, but you can’t do it alone. The good news is that your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina insurance may be able to help cover at least some of the cost of treatment, including detox, inpatient and outpatient rehab, and long-term residential treatment.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (also known as BCBS of North Carolina and Blue Cross NC) is a licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), which includes 38 independent and locally run health insurance companies across the U.S.⁴

BCBS of North Carolina has been committed to delivering quality healthcare since 1933 and is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 3.81 million members.⁵

The BCBS of North Carolina PPO network includes 96% of all medical doctors in the state, which means that it’s easy to access in-network care with this coverage.⁵ Members can also access providers outside the state that participate in the BlueCard^® coverage program.⁵

Yes, your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina plan may be able to cover some, if not all, of the cost of rehab and other addiction treatment in North Carolina or out of state.

This is partially thanks to the Affordable Care Act, which requires all health insurance providers with Marketplace plans to cover 10 essential health benefits.⁶ One of the benefits that must be covered is treatment for mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs).⁶

Your specific coverage will vary depending on your BCBS of North Carolina plan, as well as factors like the type of treatment you receive, where you receive treatment, and for how long. Still, you can expect coverage for at least some of the cost of medically necessary treatment for SUDs.⁶

BCBS of North Carolina also works to ensure members have access to addiction treatment when they need it. To accomplish this, BCBS of North Carolina provides coverage for: ⁷

• Addiction treatment.
• Non-drug pain management therapies (e.g., aquatic therapy, physical therapy).
• Medication-assisted therapy.
• Telehealth.

It’s a good idea to choose a treatment facility that’s part of the BCBS of North Carolina network as many insurance plans don’t provide non-emergency coverage outside of the provider network.⁸ You can learn what your insurance covers by calling the number on the back of your insurance card and speaking with a BCBS of North Carolina representative.

You can also contact American Addiction Centers (AAC) and speak with an admissions navigator. AAC is proud to be part of the BCBS network. Our team can answer questions you may have about addiction treatment, verify your insurance, and help you with the admissions process once you’re ready.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment when it comes to addiction. The right treatment for you will depend on your unique situation and what your doctor deems medically necessary.

Some common addiction treatments that your BCBS of North Carolina insurance may cover include:^9,10

• Medical detox: For some patients, medical detox is the first step on their journey to recovery that can prepare them for treatment such as inpatient or outpatient rehab. Medical detox helps the body rid itself of substances (e.g., drugs or alcohol) while medical professionals help manage the symptoms of withdrawal.
• Inpatient treatment programs: Inpatient treatment programs allow patients to live in a home-like setting at a facility full-time. While each facility differs, patients can expect a variety of therapeutic approaches designed to help them live a drug-free lifestyle once treatment ends.
• Outpatient treatment programs: Outpatient treatment programs often involve group and individual therapy, as well as other types of behavioral therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI). Patients may start with an outpatient treatment program or transition following an inpatient treatment program.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP): Sometimes patients need an outpatient treatment program with additional structure. With an IOP, patients attend treatment for several hours each week to sustain their recovery.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP): PHPs (sometimes known as day treatment programs) provide patients with a high level of care while allowing them to go home at night. Patients typically attend treatment for 5 or more days per week, for 4 to 6 hours per day.
• Aftercare: Aftercare is a term used to describe ongoing treatment, such as 12-step meetings like A.A. or N.A. Aftercare programs are designed to help patients sustain their recovery and live happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Yes, your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina plan may be able to cover some, if not all, of the cost of mental health and dual diagnosis treatment.

The Affordable Care Act includes mental health services as one of the 10 essential health benefits alongside substance use disorder treatment. This means that your BCBS of North Carolina insurance should help cover both.⁶

It’s common for someone experiencing a mental illness to struggle with substance use too. About half of individuals who experience a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health disorder.¹¹ When someone has both disorders at the same time it’s known as a dual diagnosis. Common mental health issues that occur alongside substance use include ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.¹¹

Research suggests that it’s better to treat both disorders at the same time, rather than separately. ¹¹

Finding a treatment facility can feel overwhelming, but knowing in advance what your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina insurance will cover can make the process easier. You can check your coverage at an American Addiction Centers facility in 2 easy ways:

1. Contact an admissions navigator at , if you want support but aren’t ready to talk.
2. Fill out the form below to verify your insurance now.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is an in-network provider with BCBS, which means that your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina plan may provide partial or full coverage for treatment at an AAC facility.

AAC has treatment centers across the U.S., including the following that accept BCBS:

• Adcare Rhode Island: With 4 locations in the state, Adcare Rhode Island offers inpatient and outpatient treatment, along with medically-monitored detox services. Patients can enjoy semi-private rooms, a fitness center, and a basketball court as they transition to a substance-free life.
• Desert Hope Treatment Center: Located in a residential area of Las Vegas, Desert Hope offers specialty programs for substance use, including a veteran-specific program. This facility offers individual therapy, family therapy, medical detox, and aftercare, along with a first responder and veteran-specific program.
• Greenhouse Treatment Center: Located in Texas, Greenhouse has a campus in Arlington and Dallas. You can access medically-monitored detox, a variety of treatment options, and a specialized LGBTQ addiction treatment program.
• Laguna Treatment Center: This residential treatment center specializes in co-occurring disorders and provides medically-monitored detox. You’ll enjoy cozy living areas and a scenic environment during treatment.
• Oxford Treatment Center: This Etta, Mississippi treatment center specializes in medical detox and inpatient treatment, but there are also options in Oxford, Mississippi for other types of treatment. You’ll enjoy walking trails, a fitness center, and an equestrian center as you build new habits for a substance-free lifestyle.
• River Oaks Treatment Center: River Oaks offers a unique holistic approach to treatment while still staying within evidence-based practices. You’ll work on your spiritual, physical, and psychological health to support your recovery.

You deserve a happier, healthier life free of substance use. At American Addiction Centers, we want to help you get there. Our admissions navigators are a phone call away at and can help you with the admissions process when you’re ready.

• Does Health Insurance Cover Rehab?
• How To Get Into Rehab Without Insurance
• How To Pay For Rehab Without Insurance
• Alcohol Rehab Without Insurance
• Does Insurance Cover Sober Living?
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers That Accept Insurance
• Does Medicaid Pay For Rehab?
• Financial Assistance for Addiction Rehab
• Does Insurance Cover Suboxone?
• Does VA Cover Inpatient Rehab?
• State Funded Rehab Near Me
• Free Drug and Alcohol Rehab Near Me
• Affordable Rehab Centers Near Me

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Stigma Reduction.
2. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. (n.d.). The opioid epidemic in North Carolina.
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). North Carolina: Opioid-involved deaths and related harms.
4. Blue Cross Blue Shield. (n.d.). BCBS^® companies and licensees.
5. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. (n.d.). About us.
6. Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). What Marketplace health insurance plans cover.
7. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. (n.d.). What is Blue Cross NC doing to battle the epidemic?
8. Healthcare.gov (2021). What you should know about provider networks.
9. Healthcare.gov (2019). Treatment options.
10. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction DrugFacts.
11. National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Substance use and co-occurring mental disorders.