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Insurance & Rehab: Do Supplemental Insurance Providers Cover Rehab?

Written by Melissa Carmona

& Medically Reviewed by Jenni Jacobsen, LSW

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Last Updated - 12/29/2022

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If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling (561) 340-7269 now.

Updated 12/29/2022

Some supplemental insurance programs may offer short-term disability coverage to help you cover the costs associated with seeking addiction rehab.

When people decide to seek rehab for addiction, they may understandably be concerned about paying for it. Some insurance plans cover part or most of the cost of addiction rehab, but this is not always the case. Those without insurance coverage for addiction may pay out-of-pocket using a payment plan. Some rehab centers may also offer a sliding fee scale based on income.

Beyond primary health insurance plans, there are supplemental insurances that can provide additional benefits. If you are in the market for addiction rehab, it is helpful to understand the role of supplemental insurance.

What Is Supplemental Insurance?

As its name might suggest, supplemental insurance gives you additional financial protection when your primary health insurance plan does not cover all of your expenses for a medical bill or treatment. For example, people may buy a supplemental insurance plan to cover the unexpected medical costs of a major event, like a heart attack or an accident.

Aflac and Cigna are two major providers of supplemental insurance, and both companies typically pay benefits directly to you. This means that if you experience an unexpected healthcare expense and qualify for a payout, your supplemental insurance provider will send you money to help you cover what your primary insurance doesn’t.

Two common forms of coverage offered by supplemental insurance are hospital coverage and short-term disability. Hospital coverage helps you if you have an unexpected hospital stay. Short-term disability provides payment if you are unable to work during a medical issue or injury.

Do Supplemental Insurance Providers Cover Rehab?

If you are determining how to get insurance to pay for inpatient rehab, you may wonder if supplemental insurance can help. This coverage will vary based on your specific plan and what services it offers. If you have questions about your supplemental coverage, it is important to contact your provider or refer to your plan documents.

Some supplemental insurance providers will give you a payment while you are attending addiction rehab. For example, Aflac reports that if you are totally disabled due to drug or alcohol addiction, it will pay a limited disability benefit for up to 90 days. This means that while you are in inpatient treatment, Aflac may offer you a payment to help cover your expenses while you are out of work.

Health Insurance that Covers Substance Abuse

Even if supplemental insurance doesn’t offer you coverage for rehab, most major health insurance providers cover addiction treatment in some way. At The Recovery Village at Baptist Health, we accept most local and national insurance providers, including Aetna, Cigna, CHI, Beacon Health Options, BCBS and Humana.

If your employer does not offer insurance and you’re looking for options that will cover rehab, turning to the government marketplace may be a viable option. Health insurance plans purchased through the government marketplace consider mental health and behavioral services, including substance abuse treatment, as essential benefits.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act also stipulates that if your health insurance plan offers coverage for addiction services, it must cover addiction services to the same extent that it covers medical and surgical benefits. This does not mean that your plan will be required to provide coverage for rehab; it just means that if it does, the coverage must be equal to that provided for any other medical condition, such as diabetes.

How To Pay for Rehab Without Insurance

If your insurance provider does not cover addiction treatment, you may have to pay out of pocket. If this is the case, you may consider these options:

  • A payment plan: Ask your rehab center if they will offer a monthly payment plan that fits your budget.
  • Sliding fee scales: Some providers, especially those operating as part of a community mental health center, may offer a sliding fee scale based upon your income. If you have a limited income and are worried you will not be able to afford rehab, your costs may be reasonable with a sliding fee scale.
  • Use supplemental coverage: Contact your supplemental insurance provider to determine if you may be eligible for a disability payment while you are in rehab to offset some of the costs associated with paying for treatment. 
  • Seek a loan: If you are running out of options for covering rehab, a personal loan may help you cover treatment costs.
  • Apply for Medicaid: If you are without health insurance and meet income requirements, you may qualify for Medicaid insurance coverage, which can help you access addiction rehab.

Read more: Rehab in Florida Without Insurance

Finding Drug & Alcohol Rehab Facilities

Once you’re ready to find a drug and alcohol treatment facility, it’s important to choose an accredited, high-quality provider that offers evidence-based treatment. At The Recovery Village at Baptist Health, our staff are licensed addiction professionals, including social workers, mental health counselors, physicians and more.

Our facilities accept most major insurance providers and offer a free insurance verification tool that can tell you how much you can expect to pay for treatment. If you are seeking drug rehab without insurance, many rehab centers, including The Recovery Village at Baptist Health, will be willing to work with you to create a manageable payment plan. Call us today to discuss your options and start the path to lifelong recovery.

We are here when you are ready.

Speak with a Recovery Advocate today to talk about your treatment options.

FAQs

How do you get insurance to pay for drug rehab?

You can get insurance to cover some of the cost of rehab by selecting a provider in your network. Use our insurance verification tool or contact our helpful representatives to determine what your plan covers.

How much does rehab cost without insurance?

The cost of rehab without insurance can vary widely, based on the level of care, length of treatment and amenities. If you don’t have insurance, a payment plan or sliding fee scale can help you with the cost of treatment.

Can you go to rehab without insurance?

You can go to rehab without insurance by seeking other payment options, such as payment plans, sliding fee scales or loans. If you are without insurance, you could also apply for Medicaid or seek an insurance plan through the government marketplace.

Does insurance cover alcohol rehab?

Not every insurance provider covers addiction treatment services like alcohol rehab, but many do.

View Sources

Aflac. “AFLAC GROUP DISABILITY ADVANTAGE INSURANCE.” Accessed November 20, 2020.

Aflac. “Aflac helps protect your blind side.”  Accessed November 20, 2020.

Cigna. “Supplemental Insurance Policies.” Accessed November 20, 2020.

CMS.gov. “The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).” Accessed November 20, 2020.

HealthCare.gov. “Mental health & substance abuse coverage.” Accessed November 20, 2020.

Medicaid.gov. “Medicaid & You: Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed November 20, 2020.

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