Millions of teens and adults in the United States seek substance abuse treatment each year. One of the primary considerations for people seeking help for drug and alcohol abuse is cost.
Many drug rehab centers accept some form of insurance, including health plans through private insurers like Aetna. It may be helpful for those who carry this type of insurance to understand how to use their Aetna health plan to pay for rehab and which types of treatment their Aetna plan may cover.
Using Aetna Health Insurance To Pay For Addiction Rehab
Massachusetts residents who intend to use their Aetna insurance to pay for addiction rehab must first meet certain requirements.
According to Aetna, Massachusetts residents must secure preauthorization (also known as precertification) before using their insurance to cover some behavioral health treatment services.
Exceptions for Aetna preauthorization requirements include:
- routine behavioral health therapy
- routine behavioral health outpatient visits
What To Know Before Using Aetna To Pay For Rehab
Before entering drug or alcohol rehab, here are some helpful things to know if you plan on using your Aetna insurance for payment:
- your responsibility for copays
- which rehab centers accept your insurance plan
- requirements for meeting deductibles
- which types of treatment programs are eligible for coverage
Aetna insurance laws may vary by state. The best way to get the most accurate and up-to-date information about your Aetna insurance coverage is to contact Aetna directly.
Learn more about Health Insurance Coverage For Drug Rehab
What Types Of Treatment Does Aetna Cover?
Not every health insurance provider covers drug and alcohol addiction programs at the same level. Your eligibility for substance abuse treatment coverage may depend on several factors.
These factors may include:
- whether the chosen rehab center accepts Aetna
- type of Aetna health plan
- the type of treatment program
- your member benefits
Under federal laws, health insurance companies like Aetna are required to cover mental health and substance abuse treatment services the same as they do medical treatment. However, this doesn’t immediately qualify you for full or partial treatment cost coverage.
To learn more about what your insurance policy covers, you’ll need to contact an Aetna insurance specialist or verify your insurance through a rehab center.
Aetna Coverage For Drug And Alcohol Detox
Detoxification is often the first step towards overcoming drug addiction. To use Aetna for detox services, you may need to get precertification.
Getting precertification involves undergoing a full medical assessment. Your doctor must submit documentation to Aetna that confirms the need for detox. Your eligibility for Aetna coverage may depend on the type of detox program and the treatments that are administered (e.g. medication) during your stay.
Aetna Coverage For Inpatient Drug Rehab
Aetna requires that individuals get preauthorization in order to cover inpatient treatment admissions. You may also need to make sure you find an inpatient treatment center that accepts Aetna insurance. These points also apply to residential treatment programs, which can be similar to inpatient rehab programs but are not always the same.
Aetna Coverage For Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Some Massachusetts rehab centers accept Aetna insurance as a method of payment for partial hospitalization, or day treatment. Aetna requires that patients get preauthorization to be eligible for coverage.
Day treatment programs can be a beneficial step-down treatment option for people who have recently completed inpatient rehab, or are unable to stay at a drug treatment facility overnight.
Aetna Coverage For Outpatient Treatment Services
Outpatient programs can be helpful for strengthening your commitment to addiction recovery. Many people attend outpatient treatment services for months or years.
Outpatient services that may be eligible for coverage include:
- intensive outpatient
- behavioral therapy
- psychiatric services
- family counseling
- medication-assisted treatment
- clinical care
Outpatient treatment programs can vary in their structure, approach, and cost, depending on the treatment provider. Aetna has a directory for in-network providers and out-of-network health care providers for outpatient drug abuse services.
Aetna Coverage For Mental Health Services
Many people with substance abuse problems also struggle with some form of mental illness. This is known as a dual diagnosis or having co-occurring disorders.
Dual diagnosis treatment may be eligible for Aetna coverage depending on the type of plan you have, the rehab center, and the types of treatment services. Dual diagnosis treatment services may include mental health counseling, medication management, support groups, and behavioral therapy.
Finding New England Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers That Accept Aetna Insurance
Once you’ve established a need for drug rehab, your next step is finding a Massachusetts rehab center that accepts your insurance. At Recovering Champions, our leading addiction treatment facility partners with many private insurers, including Aetna.
With your permission, our addiction specialists can:
- verify your Aetna insurance coverage
- determine your treatment options
- help you find the best treatment program to meet your needs
Figuring out which rehab centers accept your insurance can be overwhelming. If you’re searching for treatment for yourself or a loved one in New England, we may be able to help.
Recovering Champions offers a range of outpatient treatment programs for substance use disorders, as well as access to detox. Call us today to learn more about our accredited addiction treatment center and get in touch with one of our addiction specialists.
