There are many types of rehab facilities that can help someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Some common ones include detox, inpatient, outpatient, and addiction therapy.
Addiction treatment programs can range from facilities that specialize in specific age groups or communities (like the LGBTQ community). Regardless of the type of treatment you are looking for, the next question is always related to insurance coverage and making sure your benefits cover the treatment facility of your choice.
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides many resources available for individuals enrolled in their insurance plans. On their website, they provide direct search access to addiction treatment providers throughout the nation through their Substance Use Resource Center. It’s easy to determine which treatment facility Blue Cross Blue Sheild is in-network with.
Blue Cross Blue Sheild and Behavioral Health Coverage
BCBS health insurance offers coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. This large, well-known provider is accepted at many facilities across the country including Westwind Recovery®. We can develop the treatment you need and utilize your insurance to cover the costs.
It’s always best to contact our admissions team or BCBS directly to discuss any questions you might have about your coverage as plans vary. We want to make sure you’re able to maximize your benefits.
Westwind Recovery® is In-Network with Blue Cross Blue Sheild for Addiction Treatment
What exactly does it mean that Westwind is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield? It means that our treatment facility has a contract with BCBS to offer services at a set price. This means out-of-pocket expenses are generally much less than a facility that would be out-of-network. In fact, an out-of-network facility may require you to pay for the full cost of treatment!
In order to provide more addiction treatment resources to more individuals, it made absolute sense to partner with such a well-known insurance provider as Blue Cross Blue Sheild. At Westwind Recovery®, our main prerogative is to offer treatment services to as many people as possible. We are committed to helping end the addiction epidemic. We are thrilled that we can partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield to get people the help they need.
Will Blue Cross Blue Sheild Cover Substance Abuse and Mental Illness?
Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance does cover treatment for many issues surrounding addiction and mental health treatment. However, specific details are determined by your policy. It’s best to review your policy in detail to better understand your benefits.
If you’re enrolled in an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), you would only be covered by BCBS at facilities that are contracted by your HMO. If you’re enrolled in a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), you’ll have access to a larger amount of options to determine which treatment provider you prefer. With a PPO, you can even attend an out-of-network treatment facility at a better rate.
Regardless of whether you have an HMO or PPO, most BCBS plans will cover treatment for our medical detox program. This will be especially important if you are suffering from addiction surrounding alcohol, heroin, or even some prescription medications. That is because withdrawals from these substances are particularly difficult to overcome alone.
Many people struggle and relapse. Detoxing alone is not recommended as it is dangerous and can lead to complications. If you need medical detox, you should seek the help of a medical professional.
100% Coverage is Not Guaranteed
Like any other medical treatment, addiction treatment may only be covered in portion. That’s why it’s important to speak to the treatment facility admissions team to determine your level of coverage. You can also reach out to Blue Cross Blue Shield directly. Both options should be able to tell you what you can expect to pay out of pocket.
BCBS Coverage for Inpatient Treatment
In many cases, inpatient treatment is covered by Blue Cross Blue Sheild Insurance. The types of rehab centers that are covered by Blue Cross and Shield can vary based on the needs of their patients. Some offer specialized programs for people struggling with substance abuse issues and mental health. Other residential treatment facilities may focus more heavily on treating pregnant women or recently delivered mothers who need help managing postpartum mood swings.
BCBS Coverage for Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs are commonly covered by Blue Cross Blue Sheild insurance plans. The use of outpatient programs for treating substance abuse disorders and other co-occurring mental illnesses has proven highly effective. However, this type of treatment is often best suited to those who do not suffer from any medical problems associated with their substance abuse issues. This is also a great alternative for individuals who cannot leave work or school responsibilities to attend treatment.
BCBS Coverage for Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders treatment is also typically covered under a Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance plan. This form of treatment is necessary for individuals that are suffering from both mental health disorders and substance abuse issues. It requires facilities that understand how to treat both disorders without interfering with one another.
For example, if someone is suffering from opioid addiction, the types of medications that would be prescribed for a co-occurring mental illness would have to be taken into consideration. Specialized dual diagnosis treatment centers are important for long-term recovery and Blue Cross Blue Shield is aware of the importance of treatment.
BCBS Coverage for Addiction and Mental Health Therapy
If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) health insurance, you may be wondering what your coverage is for addiction and mental health therapy. The good news is that BCBS provides coverage for both inpatient and outpatient treatment, as well as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The member may be responsible for covering some of the additional costs, it always depends on the plan you or you’re loved one is enrolled in.
What is Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a national health insurance provider that offers a variety of health insurance plans. They also own 36 health insurance companies that are independent and locally operated throughout the country. They are commonly referred to as the Blue System.
All BCBS plans are required to cover mental health and substance abuse disorders, as mandated by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. This means that BCBS must provide the same level of coverage for mental health and addiction treatment as they do for physical health conditions.
This means that if you have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance, your plan must cover the cost of addiction treatment. This can include inpatient and outpatient treatment, as well as medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans and Levels of Coverage
BCBS offers both individual and family plans for insurance coverage. These are all tiered plans that are labeled as either bronze, silver, gold, or platinum. Starting with the bronze plans, these are the least expensive for enrollment, the price then gradually grows as you move from bronze to silver and so forth. You should also double-check your specific plan as coverage will vary from state to state.
Bronze Coverage:
These plans will cover close to 60% of your medical costs and typically have lower monthly payments and higher deductibles.
Silver Coverage:
These plans will cover close to 70% of your medical costs, but will typically have a higher monthly premium payment. The cost of your deductible would be lower than the bronze plan.
Gold Coverage:
These plans will cover close to 80% of your medical cost and will have higher monthly payments than on the silver plan. However, you will enjoy much lower deductibles.
Platinum Coverage:
Platinum plans cover close to 90% of your medical costs and as they are the top tier plan, they will cost you the most in monthly payments. You will enjoy the lowest deductibles, however.
Each of these plans offers some level of addiction treatment and mental health coverage. Each of these plan types will vary state by state as well, so determining your specific coverage will require you to take a look at the details of your policy.
We know this is not always easy to understand. You can contact our admissions department to help you decode the language in your insurance policy. Our admissions counselors are familiar with all of the insurance jargon and can help you make sense of all the specifics.
How Can I Verify The Coverage of My Blue Cross Blue Sheild Insurance?
Checking your policy benefits doesn’t have to be difficult, you can simply call the number on the back of your insurance card and speak to someone in their customer service department. You can also visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield website to find other resources.
Another option is to speak with our admissions team directly as they will be able to explain your benefits as they relate specifically to our facility. We can give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of coinsurance or copays. We can help take the guesswork out of your Blue Cross Blue Shield Addiction Treatment coverage.
Contact Westwind Recovery® and Use Your Blue Cross Blue Sheild Coverage for Addiction Treatment!
Getting the proper treatment for your mental health or addiction treatment issues should be your top priority over worrying about costs associated with treatment. Being able to utilize your Blue Cross Blue Sheild insurance coverage will help ease your mind and help you focus on recovery!
If you have questions regarding your specific BCBS policy please feel free to speak with our addiction treatment specialists team. You already know that Westwind Recovery® is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield so that should help put your mind at ease. Contact us today!
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
