Covering the costs of drug rehab can be daunting, to say the least. In fact, the cost is often perceived as the greatest barrier to addiction recovery. Consumers know that quality rehab services can be expensive, and most people expect the majority of these fees will have to be paid out-of-pocket. In reality, cost doesn’t have to prevent you from getting help. Under the Affordable Care Act, substance use disorder is now classified as a mental health issue. This means that private pay health insurance companies have to cover some or all related treatment costs. It also means that if you don’t currently have coverage, these same insurance companies cannot penalize you for having an addiction.
If you want to attend a Boston area outpatient drug rehab, your current health insurance policy may cover the majority of your treatment costs. However, before you book your stay, it’s important to understand how insurance works in addiction treatment, the limitations of your plan, and the options that you have for taking care of uncovered charges.
Every Boston Rehab Has Its Own List of Accepted Insurances
Every rehab center in the Boston area has its own list of accepted insurances. Although your health insurance plan may cover the costs of outpatient treatment, this doesn’t mean that it will work at every rehab facility. You can visit the websites of local treatment centers to see which facilities accept the type of insurance you have. You can also contact your insurance company directly to request a list of in-network providers.
Understanding the Limitations of Your Health Insurance Plan
Private pay health insurance plans generally come in two different types. These are health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. HMO plans have tightly defined networks of providers and facilities that policyholders can work with. Apart from urgent medical treatments, deviating from these networks can result in out-of-pocket charges. If you have an HMO plan, you should call your insurance company to find out which outpatient rehabs within the Boston area are currently in your plan’s network.
PPO policies provide a bit more flexibility and freedom. They have in-network providers that policyholders can work with, but they also allow people to deviate outside of their defined networks without incurring massive out-of-pocket charges. However, if you aren’t currently a Massachusetts resident, you might not get the same level of coverage that you’d enjoy if seeking treatment within your own home state. This is something to bear in mind if you’re thinking about traveling into the Boston area specifically for addiction treatment.
Irrespective of whether you have an HMO plan or a PPO plan, certain rehab costs are unlikely to be covered. These include:
- Certain prescription fees
- Co-payments
- Plan deductibles
It helps to have secondary insurance for covering these costs or a health care savings plan.
Finding and Binding Health Insurance Ahead of Rehab
If you currently lack health insurance, now is a good time to bind it. As a new applicant, you don’t have to wait until the open enrollment period to start this process. You can visit the Healthcare Marketplace to look for low-cost policies with premiums that are based on your annual income. Although many consumers shop for policies with the lowest possible premiums, these plans generally work best for young individuals who are in excellent health and have limited treatment needs. As you prepare to tackle the costs of addiction treatment, you want to look for top-tier plans that provide comprehensive coverage. Paying more in premiums now will limit the amount of money that you have to pay for uncovered costs when starting rehab.
Alternative Payment Methods for Taking Care of Uncovered Rehab Charges
Even if a large portion of your outpatient rehab costs aren’t covered by your health insurance plan, you still have feasible options for paying. Many outpatient rehab facilities are willing to accept reasonable payment arrangements. Most locations accept partial or full payments by credit card, debit card, or cash. Others provide in-need clients with access to partial scholarships. This is needs-based funding assistance that is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and awarded through various charitable organizations. Finally, many patients raise money for their uncovered rehab costs by starting crowdsourcing campaigns online or engaging in other forms of fundraising.
Don’t let the cost of rehab keep you from getting the treatment you need. Speaking with our counselors will give you a better understanding of what your insurance company will pay and what you’ll be expected to pay out of your own pocket. If you need help planning for rehab or want to find a rehab in Boston that your current health insurance will cover, call us today at 123-456-7890.
