Can You Use Cigna Insurance Coverage for Alcohol Rehab?
Alcohol abuse is a great problem in the U.S. It’s in correlation with over 200 injuries and health conditions. In fact, in the age group of 20 to 39 years, about 13.5% of deaths are connected with alcohol consumption.1
In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 14 million people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). If other addictive substances are considered, there are about 70,000 death cases each year connected with substance abuse.2,3
Unfortunately, while many people require treatment for their substance use disorder (SUD), not many actually go forward with it. Less than 2% of people struggling with AUD and other forms of SUD actually get the treatment they require. One of the main reasons is the lack of funds.3,4
One of the main ways to finance your treatment is to go through an insurance provider. People who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid usually choose an alternative option, such as Cigna insurance coverage.4
What Does Cigna Addiction Treatment Insurance Cover Nationwide?
Ever since the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was voted in 2008, all health insurance providers are required to cover the costs of substance abuse and behavioral health treatment to the same extent as they would cover medical or hospital care. This means that Cigna healthcare plans can help you cover your SUD treatment at one of in-network facilities.5
Cigna can help people struggling with alcohol abuse by covering at least a portion of costs for evidence-based addiction treatment. Some of the aspects of treatment your Cigna insurance plan might cover include:6
- Assessment and evaluation upon intake.
- Outpatient therapy and other types of programs.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP).
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP).
- Detox to help battle withdrawal from alcohol.
- Acute care in inpatient treatment facilities.
- Treatment in residential rehab centers.
- Assessment for possible co-occurring mental health disorders.
- Treatment for co-occurring disorders (if required).
What Expenses Aren’t Covered in Cigna Insurance Coverage?
Cigna addiction treatment coverage is not likely to cover expenses related to services that aren’t medically necessary. Copayments or deductibles may also apply in some cases. You should consider calling a Cigna helpline to discuss this with one of their representitives.7
Also, many insurance providers won’t cover treatment that has not been approved by relevant institutions. This can include any non-medical amenities, food delivery, recreation programs, holistic care and other forms of alternative therapies, as well as some private treatment options.5,7
How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost?
There are many factors that can affect the price of alcohol treatment. Because of this, you;re unlikely to get a precise cost estimation before a professional assessment of your situation.5
For example, the price of alcohol rehab can be affected by the type of services needed, as well as their intensity. The duration of treatment can further increase the total cost. The price may also depend on some additional requirements, such as being admitted into treatment on the same day or entering treatment with your significant other who is also struggling with addiction.8
Is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Expensive?
In general, inpatient alcohol treatment is for people struggling with severe forms of SUD Cigna’s in-network nationwide inpatient facilities allow you to spend a certain period of time in a focused environment, with constant medical supervision.9
However, this high level of care requires many resources, making it a more expensive option than other types of programs. The cost of inpatient treatment will be calculated per day, and the treatment itself can last for months.9
Is Outpatient Alcohol Rehab Expensive?
Outpatient alcohol treatment programs are intended for people who don’t have severe AUD but would still benefit from going to therapy. This allows them to spend time at home, but they are obliged to come to therapy which can be conducted up to 5 times a week in an individual or group settings. As they require fewer resources, outpatient rehab programs are usually a more affordable option.9
Are Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) for Alcohol Abuse Expensive?
PHPs are a form of outpatient treatment, but they have many things in common with inpatient facilities. When it comes to this treatment model, you typically spend most of your day in a treatment facility, but can still go home. As such, they are more expensive than standard outpatient settings, but more affordable than inpatient facilities.9
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Expensive?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) includes the use of medications in combination with other forms of AUD treatment. Medications can be used with all types of treatment, which means the cost of MAT can be challenging to predict.10
There are several types of FDA-approved medication used for alcohol abuse. You might have to use them in different dosages for a period of time as prescribed by a medical professional. This means that the cost can vary from one patient to another.10
How Much Will Alcohol Addiction Cost You?
Treatment for alcohol abuse can be expensive. Still, if you don’t get the help you require on time, costs and consequences can be even more severe. Abusing alcohol for a prolonged period of time can have a huge impact on an individual’s life. An individual struggling with AUD can experience a decline of workplace productivity, which can lead to losing income. What’s more, some struggling individuals can even lose their jobs.11
Furthermore, a struggling individual may even face increased medical bills since alcohol abuse can cause other health complications. It’s also not uncommon for an alcohol user to get in trouble with the law, which means that they might end up with high court expenses.11
The longer an individual uses alcohol, the more likely they are to suffer significant brain damage. If you don’t start your treatment on time, you may require more extensive care, which will also lead to increased expenses. Therefore, the financial loss that occurs due to alcohol abuse is usually much greater than the cost of treatment itself.5,12
How Long Does Cigna Nationwide Coverage Last for Alcohol Rehab?
AUD is a relapsing condition that requires help from a medical professional. Treatment should be not just individualized and follow the confidentiality regulations, but also have an adequate length fit for a person’s needs.13
Addiction rofessionals will assess your personal situation and determine how complex your AUD is. Then, they’ll determine how long you should stay in treatment.13
It’s important to note that there isn’t the best treatment length that will surely help recover from AUD. However, longer treatment durations tend to have a higher success rate and people who stay in treatment for at least 3 months have very low relapse rates even a year after the treatment.13
As for how long your Cigna insurance coverage for alcohol addiction treatment will last, this will depend on your specific policy and suggested treatment plan. Check your insurance card and see if there’s a hotline number on the back you can call to get accurate information.
Is Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment Right for Me?
Both inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities have significant success rates. However, for people with severe AUD, inpatient treatment seems to be a better option. It can provide struggling individuals with a structured and focused environment, which can help keep them away from triggering situations.9,13
Additionally, inpatient programs provide patients with higher levels of care as they use advanced treatment methods and can provide various amenities. All of this, combined with supportive fellow patients and staff, helps struggling individuals take responsibility for their actions and helps them regain sobriety.9
How Can I Use My Cigna Coverage for Rehab ?
The process of using Cigna nationwide coverage is the same as the procedure for any other healthcare insurance. You need to follow a specific protocol that your insurance company has in place. This typically entails obtaining a referral for treatment. Without a referral, most Cigna-covered treatment programs may not be available.15
Once you get a referral, your insurance provider will help you find a Cigna-covered rehab facility in CA or another state if your preference that can give you the right type of treatment. You can even ask about getting Cigna out-of-network coverage if you think these facilities can provide you with a higher level of care. Then, your insurance provider will determine the precise coverage.15
How to Find Cigna Insurance Treatment Providers for Alcohol Abuse?
When locating treatment facilities near you, such as Cigna nationwide rehabs, your first step should be to contact your provider via a Cigna helpline. They can help you find local facilities that are in-network. Also, this is a good moment to check what your other financing options might be.
Another thing you can do is call a local alcohol abuse hotline and ask them to provide you with the resources you might need. They may be able to tell you whether your insurance covers your alcohol addiction treatment and where you can find some suitable rehab centers.
You can also contact the facility you’re interested in and ask them about available payment options and whether they provide the care you need directly. For instance, you can call the American Addiction Centers (AAC) hotline. This recognized treatment provider has a network of specialized facilities across the country. You can get in touch with a professional dispatcher who can verify your insurance while on the phone.
