Get help today 888-287-0471 or sign up for 24/7 text support.
American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Anthem Blue Shield Substance Abuse Rehab Insurance Coverage

What is Anthem Insurance?

Anthem Blue Shield is a healthcare insurance provider in the United States. They cover over 70 million people in the country and work with a large network of providers. Anthem covers many drug and alcohol rehab expenses, so if you are insured by Anthem, finding a recovery option for substance abuse should be relatively straightforward.

What States Does Anthem Insurance Cover for Drug Treatment?

Anthem is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It currently serves members in the following states:[1]

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

The provider also serves some specialty plan members in other states.

The extent to which expenses are covered by Anthem depends on the plan you have and whether or not the rehab facility you choose is in- or out-of-network. If you would like to determine which rehab services and facilities are covered by your specific Anthem plan, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card.

Does Anthem Blue Shield Cover Drug and Alcohol Addiction Rehab?

Anthem Blue Shield provides insurance coverage for the treatment of substance use disorder, including rehab. Depending on the state you live in and the type of policy you have, Anthem will work with different treatment centers to provide services for those looking to attend rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. A variety of levels of care may be covered by your policy plan.

Addiction treatment services that may be covered by Anthem policies include:

  • Inpatient hospitalization
  • Intensive outpatient rehabilitation
  • Outpatient rehabilitation
  • Partial hospitalization
  • Residential treatment
  • Detoxification
  • Dual-diagnosis care
  • Family counseling
  • Medication-assisted treatment

Seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addiction can save you or your loved one’s life. With Anthem, treatment costs may be fully covered or reduced. Typical services include inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and medication-assisted treatment.

Does Anthem Insurance Cover Inpatient Rehab?

Many people benefit from inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Residential treatment involves living onsite for 24/7 care for 30-90 days on average, though some stays may be longer in duration. Inpatient programs include a variety of treatments, including individual and group counseling, medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and dual-diagnosis treatment if needed. You may require pre-authorization from Anthem before signing into rehab, and that may require a referral from your primary physician to prove inpatient rehab is medically necessary. Some Anthem policies offer full coverage for a specified number of days per year. Other plans may not cover all costs for inpatient treatment. Your plan may require meeting a deductible before Anthem covers any costs or a copayment.

Does Anthem Insurance Cover Outpatient Rehab?

Because recovery is a lifelong process, many people who complete inpatient treatment may decide to enter outpatient treatment as the next step in their journey to recovery. Attending outpatient treatment involves counseling, support groups, and mediations that help keep a person on the right path and reduce their risk of relapse. Treatment is typically at a rehab facility for a prescribed number of hours each day, and usually lasts anywhere from 2-7 days a week, depending on the person’s needs and the level of care they require. Rehab facilities may offer outpatient services including day programs like intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization programs.

Counseling and other services can be accessed through your provider. Anthem can help members find patient treatment that is covered by their insurance policy. Out-of-pocket expenses vary, depending on the type of treatment, who is performing the services, and your specific plan.

Does Anthem Health Insurance Cover Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Withdrawal from some drugs and alcohol can be uncomfortable. The withdrawal process can be complex for some, impacting not just their physical health but their mental health as well. For them, detox is best done under medical supervision. Medications can be prescribed to help ease withdrawal symptoms and help you safely detox from substances. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may also be needed in combination with therapy once detox is completed.

Medications provided during detox and throughout the course of treatment may be covered by your Anthem plan. Information about which medications are covered by your plan can be found in your policy’s description.

No matter what treatment you need, Anthem must determine what your plan covers. That decision is based on what is called “medical necessity.” If something is needed from a medical point of view and the need for this treatment is confirmed, Anthem insurance is likely to cover some or all of your costs, depending on the plan you have.

Does Anthem Cover Mental Health Therapy?

Many people who have substance use disorder also have mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and mood disorders. These are known as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnoses. The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that more than 8 million adults aged 18 or older had both mental illness and substance use disorder.[2]

Treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders at the same time is important, as one can trigger the other. Both issues must be addressed concurrently in order for treatment to be most effective.

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance providers are required to provide coverage for mental health care and treatment. Co-occurring disorder treatment and stand-alone rehab for drug and alcohol addiction fall under this mandate. Anthem understands that behavioral health is an important part of a person’s overall health and well-being, so their plans offer mental health and substance abuse benefits.

Anthem Insurance Drug Rehab Coverage Duration

Longer treatment times are generally considered most effective, but of course, each patient’s individual needs are a little different. A longer stay in rehab generally means fewer instances of relapse and better rates for long-term sobriety. According to a recent study, better treatment outcomes are associated with a longer duration of treatment (3-6 months) and structured continuing care, such as outpatient treatment and counseling.[3]

Because there are many different types of policies and tiers of coverage, the length of time your policy covers will depend on your specific plan and your situation (e.g., how long you’ve been using, which substances are being abused, and any legal repercussions you may have faced). You can look up your plan information online or call the number on the back of your insurance card to learn more about what your specific plan covers for drug and alcohol rehab.

In order for Anthem insurance to cover your rehab expenses, you must meet the criteria established by the company. Anthem considers the following when deciding if they will approve coverage:

  • Severity of illness
  • Intensity of service
  • Continued stay criteria

Before entering a rehab facility, you must contact Anthem on the number on the back of your insurance card. Alternatively, specialists at American Addiction Centers are here to help you. We can help you get a clearer picture of what your health plan covers in regard to drug and alcohol rehab. You can call us 24/7 at .

Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs Not Covered by an Anthem Insurance Policy

Because Anthem covers only services that are deemed medically necessary, some expenses associated with rehab may not be covered. These services include:

  • Private room
  • Spa services
  • Complementary therapies (e.g., reiki, acupuncture)

No matter what is or isn’t covered by insurance, getting treatment now is important and you or your loved one’s life could depend on it. If your insurance doesn’t cover everything, many rehab facilities will help you set up payment or financing plans or provide scholarship options to help cover your costs at a pace that works for you.

Anthem In-Network vs. Out-of-Network Drug Rehab Facility

If you are looking for a rehab facility for yourself or your loved one, first consider looking for an in-network facility. An in-network rehab facility is one that has an agreement with Anthem that allows for care at a lower cost than other providers. Many insurance companies will cover rehab expenses only for centers that are in-network to save on costs.

Receiving services from out-of-network facilities means the insurance company does not have an agreement with the provider and may not cover costs. If you choose an out-of-network facility, you may end up paying higher out-of-pocket costs and covering the entire cost of rehab yourself.

The difference in cost when selecting in-network or out-of-network care can be significant. Anthem may cover out-of-network costs in certain cases, particularly if you live in an area that does not have rehab treatment facilities or if you have specific needs that only an out-of-network facility can provide care for.

What Rehab Centers Take Anthem Insurance?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) has various rehab facilities around the country that provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment. If you have a Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan, the following AAC facilities accept Blue Cross Blue Shield for drug and alcohol addiction rehab.

  • AdCare Rhode Island: With various facilities located in Rhode Island, AdCare provides innovative, quality, and cost-efficient addiction treatment. Its integrated system of care offers an inpatient treatment center in North Kingstown and a network of outpatient offices throughout Rhode Island. AdCare’s continuum of care includes detox services, residential treatment dual-diagnosis treatment, intensive outpatient services, inpatient and outpatient services, and tele-health.
  • Desert Hope Treatment Center: Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Desert Hope provides individualized care programs as well as offering a full continuum of care including detox services, residential treatment dual-diagnosis treatment, intensive outpatient services, and tele-health.
  • Greenhouse Treatment Center: Located in Grand Prairie, Texas, Greenhouse offers individualized treatment plans and many levels of care including detox services, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment, intensive outpatient services, outpatient services, and tele-health, all in a luxurious setting with high-end amenities.
  • Laguna Treatment Hospital: Located in Orange County, California, Laguna is a chemical dependency recovery hospital that focuses on treating people who are medically compromised and need 24/7 oversight. Provided care includes detox services, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment inpatient treatment, and intensive outpatient services.
  • Oxford Treatment Center: Located in Etta, Mississippi, Oxford offers gender-specific rehab while offering an opportunity to connect with nature and try new activities. Provided care includes detox, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment, inpatient and outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient services, and tele-health, all with individualized treatment programs.
  • Sunrise House Treatment Center: Located in Lafayette Township, New Jersey, Sunrise House provides treatment for people suffering from substance abuse from a medical and holistic standpoint. With various evidence-based therapeutic interventions, personalized care is provided through detox, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment, and outpatient services.

There are various treatment programs for individuals struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, so don’t give up if the first program you check out doesn’t meet your individual needs. There are rehabs near me that can provide the treatment you need. Check out the directory to find a list of facilities and programs. You can search by location and filter by Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.

Does Your Anthem Insurance Policy Cover Addiction Treatment?

It’s important to be armed with as much information about any costs or out-of-pocket expenses you may be responsible for when entering rehab. Check your Anthem policy benefits to determine what is covered by your specific plan and what you will pay yourself. Call the number on your insurance card or log in to your account on Anthem’s member website to determine if there will be copays. In some cases, depending on your plan, a deductible must be reached before coverage kicks in.

Was this page helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Read our full editorial policy

While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we'll use this information to improve our online help.

(0/100)