United Healthcare Group Insurance Coverage for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

UnitedHealth Group (also known as United Healthcare or UHC) is the largest single health carrier in the United States, offering healthcare plans in all 50 states.¹ If you have United Healthcare, your plan may cover all or some of the cost of rehab. Learn more about your coverage below or call to verify your benefits in just a few minutes.

Yes. United Healthcare 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 United Healthcare Group Cover Addiction Treatment?

Yes, United Healthcare Group covers addiction treatment, including inpatient and outpatient programs. As with all insurance plans, your coverage can vary depending on several factors, such as your specific plan, location, and provider.¹

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that health insurance companies provide some degree of coverage for medically necessary mental health treatment, which includes substance use disorder (SUD) treatment (including coverage for drug and alcohol addiction).² This means United Healthcare Group insurance may cover a part of the cost of a rehab treatment program if not all of it.

The amount of coverage you have can vary widely based on your state of residence, whether the facility is in or out-of-network, the length of your stay, and your insurance plan level. The cost of drug and alcohol addiction treatment will vary from person to person and will also depend on the rehab center, the type of recovery program attended, and specific services received.

What Are the Coverage Levels and Plans for United Healthcare?

United Healthcare’s health plans vary depending on state of residence. There are several tiers of coverage, but United Healthcare generally offers 3 levels of care.^3-6

United Healthcare Choice offers in-network coverage with 895,000 plus providers nationwide. There is no coverage for out-of-network providers.
United Healthcare Choice Plus offers cost savings to stay in the United Healthcare network and provides less coverage for out-of-network providers.
United Healthcare Options PPO offers savings for out-of-pocket costs when using a member of the preferred provider network.

Location is typically not a barrier to seeking drug or alcohol addiction treatment with United Healthcare if the individual works with an in-network provider. With United Healthcare Choice Plus or UnitedHealthcare Options PPO, you can still choose an out-of-network provider, but the co-pay will be higher.

Different Types of Addiction Treatment That May be Covered by United Healthcare

Getting the proper substance abuse treatment is essential for your recovery effort. The type of treatment plan you need will depend on the severity of your drug addiction and where you are in the journey to well-being. You might start out at one level of treatment and work your way to another level, then continue until you don’t need addiction treatment.

Treatment programs you can expect to be covered through United Healthcare include:^7,8

Detox Services

In some cases, you may need assistance when detoxing from drugs and alcohol, which can potentially be uncomfortable, painful, or even life threatening. Medical detox helps you safely withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, as you’ll receive around-the-clock medical supervision. You might also be given medications, like Methadone, to help minimize withdrawal symptoms. Read more about Detox Facilities Near Me.

Inpatient or Residential Treatment

Inpatient/residential live-in treatment facilities provide drug rehab 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. Read more about Inpatient or Residential Treatment Centers.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Partial hospitalization programs give you the opportunity to live at home while attending treatment during the day. Read more about the Importance of Finding a Strong Partial Hospitalization Program.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs involve attending drug 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. Read more about Intensive Outpatient Programs and Therapy.

Outpatient Treatment

Individuals who have completed inpatient treatment often attend outpatient programs 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. Read more about Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab.

What Rehab Centers Accept United Healthcare Insurance?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) has various inpatient and outpatient rehab centers located throughout the country that provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment. If you have a United Healthcare insurance plan, the following AAC facilities may accept your plan:

Laguna Treatment Center: Located in Laguna Beach, California, this rehab facility provides drug and alcohol treatment in a safe, serene, and supportive environment.
Oxford Treatment Center: Located in Etta, Mississippi, this rehab facility provides high-quality addiction treatment in a natural, serene environment
River Oaks Treatment Center: River Oaks Treatment Center in Riverview, Florida, provides high-quality drug and alcohol addiction treatment including detox, inpatient and outpatient therapy, and telehealth.
AdCare Rhode Island: With various locations in the state, AdCare Rhode Island offers high-quality addiction treatment in a secure environment.
Desert Hope Treatment Center: Located near Las Vegas, Nevada, Desert Hope Treatment Center provides individualized rehab treatment.
Recovery First Treatment Center: Located in Hollywood, Florida, Recovery First Treatment Center is a leading alcohol and drug rehab center offering high-quality addiction treatment.

To verify your coverage at one of the facilities above, contact an AAC admissions navigator at . It’s confidential and free, and there is no obligation to enter treatment.

Check Your United Healthcare Rehab Coverage

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it can be overwhelming to think about the cost of treatment. Knowing exactly what is and isn’t covered can give you peace of mind so you can focus on recovery. To find out exactly what your United Healthcare insurance covers, call the number on the back of your insurance card, verify your insurance online, or fill out the form below.

How to Pay for Rehab if UHC Won't Cover the Full Cost

If your health insurance plan won’t cover your drug rehab treatment, don’t despair, because many facilities offer payment plans that will allow you to get the treatment you need. Government programs also offer aid to recovering addicts that can prove helpful. Many substance abuse facilities will work with you to figure out how to have access to treatment and make it affordable.

There are other resources to help you cover the cost of rehab for addiction. You can check with the rehab facility for a sliding scale fee or payment arrangement. Additionally, some treatment centers offer financial aid or scholarships for treatment. If those options aren’t available, you could try to get a loan from family or friends.

Here are some resources that can help:

So, can you use your United Healthcare Group insurance coverage for addiction treatment? Yes, you can! The specific details and how much the insurance pays for will depend on your plan and the provider you choose. However, there are options to help you pay if your insurance doesn’t cover the full cost.

What’s most important is that you can get the help you need to treat your addiction. There is a lot of information regarding health insurance that can be confusing and perhaps overwhelming. If you would like some help in sorting through this information to the get the substance abuse treatment you need, make sure to call your insurance company or speak to one of our admissions navigators today. They can outline the details of your plan and help guide your search so you can find a drug program that will be the right for you.

Sources

UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). Who We Are.
Healthcare.gov. (2021). Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coverage.
UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). Group benefit plans.
UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). UnitedHealthcare Choice.
UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus.
UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). UnitedHealthcare Options – PPO.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition): Types of Treatment Programs.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide: Treatment Settings.