Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Insurance & Alcohol Rehab Coverage
Alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a great problem in the U.S., as approximately 13.5% of deaths in the age group of 20 to 39 years are due to alcohol consumption. This alone is a sign that many people require treatment for their AUD, but it seems that not many people actually get it.1,2
In fact, only about 2% of people who need treatment for AUD and other forms of substance abuse disorder (SUD) actually get it. The main reason behind such a low percentage is the lack of finances to pay for alcohol treatment.3
Most people who do manage to get treatment finance their rehab using insurance. While about 21% of people use insurance such as Medicaid, about 10.5% opt for private insurance. Residents of Rhode Island can choose Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage.3
Blue Cross Blue Shield has been providing healthcare coverage nationwide since 1929. For example, you can get BCBS of Rhode Island insurance coverage for many health problems, including alcohol treatment.4
The company has more than 110 million members all across the U.S. and works with more than 1.7 million healthcare professionals to give you the care you need and deserve. This is how people from Rhode Island can get Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage nationwide.4
The Scope of Blue Shield of Rhode Island Insurance Coverage
Thanks to the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), all insurance companies have to provide their members with the same level of coverage for substance use treatment and treatment for other behavioral health problems as they would for medical care.5
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island offers addiction treatment through its Substance Use Resource Center. This is a publicly-available resource that can help individuals struggling with substance use, including AUD.6
To be successful, treatment needs to be individualized. Not all people struggling with substance abuse will need the same type of therapy. Due to variations in treatmetn plans,, your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island rehab coverage might be applicable to:7
- Initial assessment upon intake.
- Safe and medically managed detox services.
- Therapy at outpatient treatment centers.
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP).
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP).
- Prolonged stay in residential treatment centers.
- Treatment at one of the nationwide inpatient drug rehab centers in the network.
- Assessment to see whether there are any co-occurring disorders.
- Treatment for said co-occurring mental health disorders.
Is There Something BCBS of RI Won’t Cover?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island insurance for substance abuse treatment won’t cover all of the costs of your alcohol abuse detoxification and treatment. You’ll likelyhave to cover coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments. Also, many non-medical costs won’t be covered. Some of these costs might include amenities that you don’t have a medical referral for, food delivery, recreation programs, holistic care, and other types of alternative therapies, as well as private services.8,9
How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost?
Many factors can affect the total cost of your alcohol addiction treatment. This includes:8,10
- The exact services included in your plan..
- How intense these services need to be.
- How long your alcohol abuse treatment should last.
- Any additional amenities. For example, if you’d like to get luxury services that some treatment centers provide.
Medical professionals at the rehab facility of your choosing will determine the details of your treatment upon assessment of your AUD and general health. Based on their evaluation and suggested treatment plan, you can explore some of the available financing options.8
Cost of Inpatient Alcohol Rehab
Inpatient alcohol treatment is intended for people struggling with severe AUD or any other form of substance abuse. It’s also a suitable option for people who’ve struggled with alcohol abuse for a very long time. Inpatient treatment places the patient in a controlled setting, where they’ll get 24/7 supervision.7
On most occasions, this is the most expensive type of treatment. The reason behind such high costs lies in accommodation, prolonged treatment length, and a few other factors. Fortunately, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island substance abuse coverage can help you cover some of these costs.7
Still, you should consult with your insurance provider to see what expenses they can cover. This is especially important if you have any special requirements, such as same-day admittance if you’re in urgent need of treatment or couple’s therapy for partners battling AUD.
Cost of Outpatient Alcohol Rehab
Outpatient alcohol rehab is usually more affordable when compared to other types of therapies. This is because patients don’t have to stay in a treatment center after therapy sessions. Instead, they commit to regular visits to the counselor in individual or group settings.7
In general, outpatient treatment is less extensive than inpatient care. This allows it to keep its fairly affordable price, especially when compared to PHP or inpatient care.7
Cost of Alcohol Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Partial hospitalization programs can be considered to be the middle ground between inpatient and outpatient treatment. While they require individuals in treatment to stay at a facility throughout the day, patients are allowed to reside in a place of their choice, such as their homes.7
As it doesn’t require accommodation and as extensive care as inpatient treatment, PHP is usually more affordable. However, it’s still more expensive than outpatient rehab.7
Cost of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment means that professionals will prescribe some individuals FDA-approved medications to help them with their treatment. This is usually done in combination with other treatment models such as behavioral therapy. This approach is one of the most effective types of treatment, as it provides a “whole-patient” approach.6
As MAT can be used in combination with any other type of treatment, its cost can vary greatly. It’s important to check with your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island insurance provider to see whether your healthcare plan covers the cost of medications.
Comparing Costs of Alcohol Rehab & Addiction
When it comes to the US economy, alcohol abuse cost the nation 249 billion dollars in 2010. In other words, it cost $807 per resident of the States, no matter if they themselves battle AUD or not.11
As for struggling individuals, they are more likely to experience reduced workplace productivity, which can lead to lower income. Likewise, their medical bills are likely to increase, as alcohol use can worsen many existing health conditions and even lead to some diseases. They might even be liable for legal expenses if they commit a crime due to their AUD.11
Finnally, alcohol abuse can change the brain’s structure and how it works. The later you start treatment, the more extensive your therapy may be. Therefore, going to treatment as soon as possible can help you reduce costs in the long run.8,12
How Long Will I Be in Treatment at a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Facility?
Not all Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island healthcare plans are the same, and not all will cover the same length of treatment. Whether you’re looking for in-network or out-of-network coverage, it’s best to check the scope of your coverage with your insurance provider.
Nonetheless, the longer the treatment, the better the outcome. This is why you should follow your medical professional’s recommendation and stay in alcohol rehab as per their suggestion. In general, treatment programs that last shorter than 3 months aren’t typically as effective as longer stays in facilities.13
If you want to find out for how long your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island insurance will cover the costs of your rehab, your best option is to contact the number located on the back of your insurance card. Calling the BCBS of Rhode Island helpline is also a good option to check your benefits and find out whether there are some other payment options available to you.
Is It Better to Go to an Inpatient or Outpatient Alcohol Rehab Center?
Different types of treatment can offer invaluable benefits in helping you battle your AUD. Still, there are some essential differences between inpatient and outpatient programs that can help you decide which one’s right for you.7
Here are some essential differences to keep in mind:7
- Inpatient facilities offer high quality of care during your stay in a professional environment with medical supervision.
- They will also provide you with a supportive ecosystem, with a group of people going through similar experiences.
- Also, as you’ll be supervised and away from your usual environment, there won’t be many distractions. This will allow you to stay focused on your treatment while taking accountability for your actions.
- On the other hand, outpatient therapy doesn’t provide as extensive care as inpatient treatment.
- However, outpatient programs allow you to stay in a familiar environment where you’re comfortable in.
While both treatment models are beneficial, inpatient treatment might have a slightly better outcome rate. In this type of treatment setting, you have fewer triggers that might cause you to relapse as you’re staying in controlled surroundings with medical professionals there to support and monitor you.7,13
The Process of Getting BCBS of RI Insurance Coverage
If you’d like to use Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island to get addiction treatment nationwide, there are a few steps you need to follow. The first thing you need to do is get a medical referral for addiction treatment. Then, you can deliver it to your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island insurance provider. Without a referral, the insurance company has the right to deny coverage since there’s no proof your treatment is medically necessary.14
Typically, you’ll need to get a referral from your primary care provider. However, you might also be able to call your treatment provider’s hotline and ask how to proceed with your application.14
When you get the referral, you should contact your insurance provider and ask which rehabilitation centers are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. They will explain further steps to you, as well.
What Facilities Accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Insurance?
There are several ways you can find recognized and wll-equipped treatment centers that will accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance coverage. Whether you live in the capital city of Providence and need treatment or you’re looking for a rehab facility in a somewhat smaller city of Warwick, there are several steps you can take to find a local treatment center near you.
The first thing you can do is to call the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island helpline and ask them about in-network facilities. If you feel uncomfortable sharing personal information, you should know that substance abuse hotlines are required to protect your information. In addition, most of them are free.15
You can also use the Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue Distinction Center for Substance Use Treatment and Recovery, which can help you locate alcohol rehab centers nationwide or in Rhode Island.6
You can also get in touch with American Addiction Centers (AAC) via one of their confidential helplines for alcohol addiction. You’ll have an opportunity to speak with a trained dispatcher who can answer questions about your coverage, alcohol abuse, and treatment. This is also a great option to verify your insurance since the AAC team can do it directly online. You might even get references to one of the top-quality facilities such as the AdCare facility, one of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island substance abuse providers.
AdCare Treatment Facility
The AdCare Treatment Center is a high-quality facility that might help you with your alcohol abuse. You will likely be able to cover your treatment with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island insurance to some extent, but make sure to check with the insurance company or treatment provider.
As one of Rhode Island’s recognized centers, this facility will provide you with individualized treatment for your AUD. It offers residential, inpatient, and outpatient treatment. It also has a detoxing unit and can provide you with dual-diagnosis treatment.
The AdCare Treatment Center accepts many different insurance options, so if you want to use Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island to get into a substance abuse treatment facility, you should consider reaching out to this facility for more information.
