TRICARE Insurance Coverage for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Everyone has unique needs when it comes to drug and alcohol treatment. Although coverage varies depending on the specifics of your plan, you can count on some type of addiction treatment coverage from TRICARE. Some of the particular programs and treatment services you may be eligible for under TRICARE’s healthcare coverage:^4,5,6

• Medical detox, which can help you withdraw from drugs and alcohol, as you’ll receive around-the-clock medical supervision.
• Inpatient rehab, which provides drug and alcohol treatment while you live onsite at the facility. Most inpatient programs last anywhere from 15–90 days, depending on the program you’re in and your individual needs.
• Partial hospitalization programs, sometimes known as day treatment programs, which allow you to live at home while attending treatment during the day.
• Intensive outpatient programs, which involve attending treatment programs a few evenings a week. In an intensive outpatient program, you can live at home and even go to work during the day.
• Outpatient treatment, which involves living at home and spending 10–12 hours a week at a treatment facility near you for therapy and support.
• Medication-assisted treatment, which involves the use of medications along with counseling and behavioral therapies. The goal is to provide treatment that addresses the entire person in connection to their substance use disorder.

TRICARE insurance may also help individuals cover the cost of dual diagnosis treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. While costs will vary from person to person, mental and behavioral health disorders treatment are considered essential benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As such, health insurance plans, like TRICARE plans, are required to provide some degree of coverage for the medically-necessary treatment of mental health disorders.

Some common types of mental health disorders include:

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Additionally, TRICARE may cover various types of different therapies, such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Contingency Management.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI).
• Family therapy.
• Couples therapy.

You may wonder if TRICARE covers drug and alcohol rehab, and the only way to really have the answer is to check your TRICARE health plan coverage. Knowing exactly what TRICARE plans cover can give you peace of mind while you or your loved one is in a rehab facility. You can do the work of getting and staying sober without worrying about unexpected costs or financial struggles.

West Region: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa (excluding the Rock Island Arsenal area), Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri (excluding the St. Louis area), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas (only the southwestern corner, including El Paso), Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

East Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa (Rock Island Arsenal area only), Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri (St. Louis area only), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (excluding the El Paso area), Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

New active-duty service members are eligible for these plans:³

• TRICARE Prime
• TRICARE Prime Remote
• TRICARE Prime Overseas
• TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas

National Guard or Reserve members qualify for one of the following plans:³

• Line of Duty Care
• TRICARE Reserve Select

Other military personnel may qualify for the following plans:³

• TRICARE Prime
• TRICARE Prime Remote
• TRICARE Prime Overseas
• TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas
• TRICARE Select
• TRICARE Select Overseas
• TRICARE for Life
• TRICARE Reserve Select
• TRICARE Retired Reserve
• TRICARE Young Adult
• US Family Health Plan

When going to a substance abuse rehab facility, it’s most helpful to stay in-network, where providers have a contract with the treatment center.¹ There are several benefits to using an in-network addiction rehab. You won’t have to pay as much in out-of-pocket costs when you go to one of TRICARE’s providers.²

TRICARE has Eastern and Western regions of network providers you can check with to see if the treatment facility you’re considering is listed. Also, you can verify your healthcare benefits by contacting the rehab center or calling the number on the back of your card.

TRICARE may cover some, and possibly all, of your drug and alcohol rehab treatment. However, you may be responsible for paying some out-of-pocket costs or deductibles. What should you do in this instance? You can seek out alternative ways to pay for substance abuse treatment. Some options include:

• Payment plans: Rehab programs may offer payment plans where you arrange to spread out the total cost over regular payment installments, to make the financial burden more manageable. Be sure to look at interest rates and other details of the plan.
• Sliding fee scale: Programs may offer a sliding fee scale, where the treatment costs will vary based on the individual’s income—if you make less money, you will have lower costs. This may only be an option if you pay entirely out-of-pocket.
• Scholarships: Programs may offer rehab scholarships where you can potentially receive treatment at a discounted cost or no cost at all.
• Signing up for Medicare or Medicaid if you’re eligible.

Make sure to do thorough research when looking for a rehab facility so that you can find one that meets your financial needs.

Here are additional resources that provide more information about other ways to pay for rehabilitation with or beyond what TRICARE covers:

• How to Pay for Rehab Without Insurance
• FAQs about Paying for Rehab
• What is the Cost of Drug Rehab?

Whatever addiction issues you’re facing, TRICARE does offer some assistance with insurance coverage. You can take the first step in your recovery today by finding an in-network facility with our nationwide rehab search tool.

1. TRICARE. (2020). Network providers.
2. TRICARE. (2021). TRICARE regional offices.
3. TRICARE. (2021). Health plans.
4. TRICARE. (2018). Covered services: Substance use disorder treatment.
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition): Types of Treatment Programs.
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).