How to Use Health Net Insurance Coverage to for Alcohol Rehab?
Whether once-a-week binge drinking or everyday alcohol abuse, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a huge issue in the entire U.S. A big part of this problem is that most people consider social drinking to be acceptable behavior, so not many people abusing alcohol believe they have AUD or that they have a problem they need to work on. Out of people who understand they have an issue, only a few actually get treatment. The main reasons for not getting treatment are stigma and the inability to pay for rehab.1,2
Fortunately, all health insurance providers are required to provide you with the same amount of coverage for substance abuse treatment and mental health disorders as they would for any physical health problem. Health Net is one of the nsurance provider which may offer in-network and out-of-network coverage for alcohol treatment.3,4
What Is Health Net Insurance?
Health Net is an independent, private insurance company that was founded in 1979 in California. It provides health coverage for people of all ages, employment statuses, and income, no matter their current health state.4
As of spring 2022, Health Net insurance works with more than 314 facilities and serves 578 counties. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognizes its healthcare plans, proving its legitimacy and quality.4
What Does Health Net Cover During Alcohol & Drug Rehab?
Health Net can help you cover the costs of addiction treatment in many facilities nationwide. The company follows the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol, which is why it can help cover all steps of the treatment.5
Nonetheless, there isn’t just one adequate treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Treatment needs to be individualized so it can fulfill the needs of each patient.6
In general, you can use Health Net insurance coverage for any treatment that is medically-necessary and approved by the FDA. This might include:6
- Intervention, screening, and assessment during or right after intake.
- Detox treatment at specialized facilities that offer medical supervision.
- Standard outpatient programs and support and intensive outpatient programs (IOP).
- Treatment in residential and inpatient rehab centers.
- In-depth assessment for co-occurring disorders.
- Complete treatment for diagnosed co-occurring disorders.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Does Health Net Substance Abuse Coverage Cover Everything?
The problem with personalized treatment is that there might be some amenities that aren’t considered medical emergencies. Such services or perks are usually not covered by Health Net healthcare plans. This might include:5,6
- Various alternative therapies, such as alternative medication, holistic care, or other methods that the FDA didn’t approve.
- Luxurious amenities some high-end centers offer. For instance, some additional services might include same-day admittance, luxe accommodation options, treatment and guidance for couples battling AUD, or even spa and recreation services.
- Food delivery and other non-medical amenities.
- Private rehab services.
The Expected Costs of Alcohol Addiction Treatment
It’s nearly impossible to predict the cost of treatment for AUD. There are many factors that can influence the total price, including:7
- The required services.
- The intensity of said services.
- How long your treatment will last.
- Additional amenities.
The price is usually calculated once the assessment process is complete. This is when a professional team will decide upon the details of your treatment, so you’ll have a good idea about what to expect. Onc your evaluation is complete, you can check whether you’re eligible to go to some of the nationwide Health Net-covered treatment programs or if you’ll need to find some other financing option for your treatment.7
What’s the Cost of Alcohol Treatment at an Inpatient Facility?
Most of the time, inpatient treatment is meant for people with severe AUD or for individuals who cannot stop drinking even though they’ve been trying for a long time. Nationwide inpatient rehabs in-network with Health Net can provide them with 24/7 medical supervision in a properly controlled setting.6
As inpatient rehab provides you with not just extensive care, but also accommodation, it typically costs more than other types of treatment. At the same time, it can last for several months, which also affects the final price. Luckily, if you’re covered by Health Net insurance, the cost of inpatient alcohol rehab is easier to handle.6
What’s the Cost of Alcohol Treatment Within an Outpatient Program?
Outpatient alcohol rehab is suitable for struggling individuals who cannot leave their homes, but still want to get expert help for their alcohol abuse. Individuals who join an outpatient program typically have daily therapy sessions in either group or individual settings. However, they spend the rest of their time outside of the facility.6
As outpatient rehab centers don’t provide as extensive care as inpatient facilities, they’re suitable for people with milder cases of AUD. They don’t provide accommodation or special care services, which means they are more affordable compared to residential or inpatient treatment. Still, they might be covered by your insurance provider, so make sure to check this by calling the Health Net helpline.6
What Are the Costs of Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) for Alcohol Addiction?
For indiviwho don’t need to stay inpatient but could still use more extensive treatment than outpatient, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are a great choice. They allow you to get high-quality treatment throughout the day, but you will spend nights outside of rehab.6
As this type of rehab doesn’t provide you with accommodation nor with the most extensive treatment out there, it is usually more affordable than inpatient treatment – but still more expensive than outpatient. Again, the exact coverage needs to be checked with your healthcare provider.6
What Is the Cost of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Some treatment programs require the use of FDA-approved medications. Most of these medications are used to battle withdrawal symptoms, but some might help lower the desire for using alcohol.8
This medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be used with outpatient, inpatient, and PHP. As such, its costs might vary greatly. Most Health Net insurance-covered treatment providers will also offer MAT treatment, but this depends on the details of your plan.8
Are the Costs of Alcohol Rehab too High?
Some individuals may find AUD rehab to be too expensive and feel discouraged from seeking treatment after hearing the costs. However, it’s usually more expensive to delay getting the necessary treatment, especially if your alcohol abuse is already severe.2
Alcohol abuse places a great toll on the US economy. In fact, in 2010, $249 billion of national resources were spent on alcohol-related consequences. If calculated per individual, this means that the U.S. lost $807 per resident, including people who aren’t drinking.9
If you look at individuals and their losses, a person struggling with AUD may become less productive, which can result in their loss of income or even job. At the same time, certain expenses are likely to increase. For example, prolonged alcohol abuse can cause additional health problems and treating them can be expensive.5,9
Brain damage may also occur as a result of severe alcohol abuse. The longer alcohol is consumed, the worse the damage. Once again, this may lead to a person requiring extensive and expensive treatment. In the end, the cost of alcohol abuse can be much greater than if you were to pay for treatment on time.10
How Long Does the Nationwide Health Net Coverage Last?
Every person requires not just an individualized type of treatment but also adjusted treatment length. Nonetheless, longer treatment usually has a better outcome.11
In general, patients should stay in treatment as long as their treatment specialists advise, which is usually at least 3 months. Of course, if you are unable to stay in rehab that long, undergoing treatment for even a short period of time is better than not going to treatment at all. However, if you don’t stay for an adequate period of time, there’s typically a greater chance of relapse.11
Health Net insurance may cover treatment programs that last anywhere from a few days to a few months. The length of time the insurance provider will cover you will differ based on the type and level of coverage you select. You can contact the Health Net helpline or a specialized hotline offering help to individuals with AUD for more information and insurance verification.4
Choosing Between Nationwide Health Net Inpatient & Outpatient Rehab Centers
Both outpatient and inpatient programs can provide a person with adequate treatment depending on their needs. However, there are some indications that inpatient treatment might provide people with longer-lasting sobriety, especially individuals who are struggling with AUD for a very long time.11
First off, inpatient treatment provides a greater level of care, as they can make sure a patient gets constant monitoring. The patient will stay in a professional and safe environment, together with people who also struggle with SUD. This creates a strong support system and helps patients continue working on sobriety.11
As people in inpatient treatment reside in a treatment facility, they won’t have to deal with many triggering situations that might tempt them to drink again. This also means they’ll have to hold themselves accountable for any situation that might happen, which will increase their sense of responsibility and desire to stay sober.11
How to Get Into Alcohol Treatment Covered by Health Net Insurance Coverage?
Applying for a Health Net rehab center is more or less the same nationwide. First off, you’ll probably need to get a referral from your doctor or healthcare provider. You can contact Health Net and ask them for details on getting the referral that complies with their regulations or consult with a medical professional. A referral is important as it shows that your treatment is medically necessary.12
Once you obtain the referral, you can contact the Health Net helpline and ask them about the details of your coverage. They may also suggest some in-network providers that you can call to discuss your payment options for treatment.12
Steps for Finding Health Net-Covered Alcohol Abuse Treatment Facilities
There are several ways in which you can find rehab facilities that accept Health Net insurance. No matter if you’re looking for mental health or addiction treatment, the steps for finding in-network Health Net substance abuse providers are typically the same.
- The first option is to contact the Health Net helpline using the number on the back of your card and ask them about in-network local treatment centers. They will not only give you the locations of these centers, but they might also help you learn more about your coverage.
- Your next option is to contact a local alcohol hotline. Their opeators should have information about treatment centers near you and the financing options these centers have. Of course, all hotlines are required by law to be entirely confidential.13
- You might also want to contact American Addiction Centers (AAC), a trusted and accredited treatment provider. You can reach out via phone or the online form below. This is a great way to get your insurance verified and check your benefits for treatment at one of AAC’s facilities.
AAC can help you get in touch with several facilities that provide high-quality programs and that are in-network with Health Net insurance. One of them is Laguna Treatment Hospital.
Laguna Treatment Hospital
Laguna Treatment Hospital is a great option for residents of California or individuals who don’t mind traveling for treatment. In fact, this is the first chemical dependency recovery hospital in Orange County.
This facility provides patients with high-quality detox services, residential and inpatient treatment, IOP, as well as dual-diagnosis. It has a trained staff consisting of more than 70 addiction professionals, therapists, registered nurses, as well as recreational therapists. The hospital is known nationwide for having some of the best therapeutic settings in the state.
If you’re interested in starting treatment, you can contact your Health Net insurance provider or your local substance abuse hotline. You can also contact the hospital directly.
