United Healthcare Rhode Island: Rehabs in RI That Take UHC

Updated Dec 16, 2022

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, sitting at just 37 miles wide and 48 miles long, but it boasts almost 400 miles of shoreline along Narragansett Bay in the Atlantic Ocean.¹ This feat has earned the state its official nickname of the Ocean State, even though the state is most well-known for making silverware and fine jewelry.^1,2 From the mansions that overlook Narragansett Bay in Newport, including the Vanderbilt mansion that was built in 1895, to the nation’s oldest library building in East Providence, the history of the state, which has a population of 1,095,610, is extremely rich.^1-3

The state of Rhode Island is no stranger to the opioid epidemic, as well as addiction in general. Approximately 267 people die annually in Rhode Island from an opioid overdose, and 25.9 out of every 100,000 residents die from an opioid overdose.⁴ From 2017-2019, the annual average prevalence of past-year substance use disorder (SUD) in those older than 12 years old, Rhode Island was 8.7%, which is higher than the national average of 7.4%.⁵ What these statistics go to show is that if you’re struggling with addiction, you’re not alone.

Finding a rehab center at which to receive treatment is one of the best ways that you can get on the path to recovery. Rehab, though, often comes at a cost. Fortunately, if you have health insurance, you may be able to use it to cover at least some of the cost of your needed care.

How to Check My UHC Coverage for Rehab in Rhode Island

Finding a treatment facility can feel overwhelming but knowing in advance what your United Healthcare insurance will cover can give you peace of mind. The good news is, checking your coverage is easy. To learn about your specific coverage, contact one of our admissions navigators at , get a text, click here, or fill out the form below.

What Is UHC Rhode Island?

United Healthcare (UHC) is a nationwide company that provides a variety of health benefits to millions across the country.⁶ Specifically, UHC, which is UnitedHealth Group’s health benefits business, provides individuals and families, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with health benefit programs.⁷ UHC works with Optum to deliver benefits and care to covered members. In Rhode Island, there isn’t one specific plan, but rather many different types of UHC plans that may be available to Rhode Island residents.

Here’s an overview of the main markets and the number of lives served in each:⁶

UHC Employer & Individual Market: About 26.5 million members are covered by a plan from this market
UHC Medicare & Retirement Market: About 13 million U.S. seniors are covered by a plan from this market.
UHC Community & State Market: About 7.7 million Americans who are medically underserved, poor, or unable to enroll in an employer plan are covered by a plan from this market.

To learn more about the plan you have and what it covers, call the number on the back of your insurance card. Plan details will vary greatly depending on the type of plan that you have.

Does United Healthcare Cover Rehab Treatment in Rhode Island?

Because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), almost all U.S. health plans, including those offered by UHC in Rhode Island, must provide coverage in some capacity for 10 essential health benefits, one of which is mental and behavioral health services.⁸ This means that, specifically, your plan must, at some level, provide coverage for inpatient and residential mental health treatment, behavioral health services, and substance use disorder treatment in Rhode Island.⁹ Please note that all plan details vary, and your coverage may be subject to network requirements as well as cost-sharing requirements like copays and deductibles, depending on the plan that you have.

There may be a variety of treatment centers in Rhode Island at which your UHC Rhode Island plan is accepted. One of such centers is an American Addiction Centers (AAC) facility called AdCare Rhode Island. AdCare Rhode Island has various locations in the state, and you may be able to use your United Healthcare Rhode Island insurance plan to cover at least some of the cost of rehab.

What is Covered?

What exactly is covered by your UHC Rhode Island plan will vary depending on the specific policy that you have. Despite this, your UHC Rhode Island plan is federally mandated to provide coverage in some capacity for substance addiction for substances such as alcohol, marijuana, opioids, heroin, cocaine, crystal meth, and prescription drugs.

What Rehab Programs does United Healthcare of Rhode Island Cover?

There are many types of rehab programs that United Healthcare of Rhode Island may cover. Some common types of addiction treatment that may be covered include:^10-12

Detox. The medically supervised process in which you rid the body of substances (e.g., alcohol or drugs) is often referred t0 as medical detox.
Inpatient. Inpatient programs involve 24-hour intensive, structured care that includes drug-free housing and round-the-clock medical attention.
Outpatient. This type of rehab program is less intensive than inpatient care, as it does not involve 24-hour supervision. An outpatient program often involves a variety of programs which can include individual or group drug counseling.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). As the name suggests, an IOP is a more intensive outpatient program, as it requires patients to attend a minimum number of hours of sessions in an outpatient format every week.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). Often called a day program, PHPs, involve patients attending sessions for 4-8 hours each day, multiple days per week, but do not have to stay overnight.
Any type of care that is administered after rehab is completed is referred to as continuing care or aftercare.

Does UHC in Rhode Island Cover Mental Health & Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Under the ACA, UHC in Rhode Island plans must provide some level of coverage for mental health and dual diagnosis (also known as co-occurring disorder treatment).⁹ A co-occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis, is what it’s called when someone experiences a mental health disorder or illness and an SUD simultaneously.¹³ Co-occurring disorders are common, as researchers believe that about half of those with a mental health disorder or substance use disorder will experience the other at some point in their lifetime.¹⁴ Common examples include SUDs, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or mood disorders, and depression.¹⁴ Treatment often involves an integrated approach, where each condition is treated at the same time to improve the outcomes of treatment.¹³

Which Rehab Centers in Rhode Island Take United Healthcare Insurance?

Depending on your UHC Rhode Island plan, there may be programs near you that accept your plan. AAC has top-notch rehab facilities around the country that provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment that may be in-network with UHC Rhode Island. Here are some local or nearby AAC facilities:

AdCare Rhode Island: This AAC facility is comprised of four locations, three of which offer outpatient services while one offers inpatient care. The inpatient facility, located in North Kingstown, New England, is set on 30 acres of wooded land and is one of only two non-hospital locations in Rhode Island to provide medical detox services. The other three locations, located in South Kingstown, Portsmouth, and Greenville, provide a variety of outpatient-based services.
Recovery First: Located in Hollywood, Florida, this AAC facility provides high-quality addiction treatment services like IOPs, aftercare services, and co-occurring disorder treatment.
Sunrise House Treatment Center: Located in nearby New Jersey, the Sunrise House Treatment Center provides IOP, residential, general outpatient, and medically supervised detox services.

If these three, or any other AAC facilities, are not in-network with your UHC Rhode Island plan, don’t worry. There are rehabs near me that can provide the treatment you need. Check out the directory to find a list of facilities and programs.