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United Healthcare Group Insurance Coverage for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

UnitedHealth Group (also known as United Healthcare or UHC), the largest single health carrier in the United States, is comprised of two companies—United Healthcare and Optum—and offers healthcare plans in all 50 states and 130 countries.1 United Healthcare provides healthcare coverage and benefits services; Optum offers information and technology-enabled health services.1
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United Healthcare and Addiction Treatment

So, does United Healthcare Group cover substance abuse treatment? UnitedHealth Group takes drug and alcohol addiction seriously and typically does cover inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for substance abuse. However, UnitedHealth Group insurance coverage can vary depending on a member’s specific coverage plan, their location, and their chosen provider. This page is intended to help you figure out what your UnitedHealth Group insurance does and does not cover.

Does United Healthcare Group Cover Addiction Treatment?

If you’re wondering whether United Healthcare Group covers rehab treatment for drug and alcohol addiction; the short answer is yes, UHC may provide at least some coverage for inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol treatment services, although the amount of coverage can vary widely based on your state of residence, whether the rehabilitation facility is in- or out-of-network, the length of your stay, and your insurance plan level.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that health insurance companies provide some degree of coverage for medically-necessary mental health treatment, which includes substance use disorder (SUD) treatment (including coverage for drug and alcohol addiction), so United Healthcare does cover substance abuse treatment.2 United Healthcare Group insurance may cover a part of the cost of a rehab treatment program, if not all of it.

The amount of coverage you have can vary widely based on your state of residence, whether the facility is in- or out-of-network, the length of your stay, and your insurance plan level. The cost of drug and alcohol addiction treatment will vary from person to person and will also depend on the rehab center, the type of recovery program attended, and specific services received.

Check Your United Healthcare Rehab Coverage

Rehabs.com can also verify your insurance coverage for you to check what level of drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment could be included with your United Healthcare insurance plan. Use the form below or visit our insurance verification page, enter your information, and you will immediately be able to see if the rehab center you are considering is in-network with United Healthcare Group. Or call to speak to one of our admissions navigators to have them check your benefits and help you understand what is covered.

 

Different Types of United Healthcare Group Addiction Treatment

Getting the proper substance abuse treatment is essential for your recovery effort. The type of treatment plan you need will depend on the severity of your drug addiction and where you are in the journey to well-being. You might start out at one level of treatment and work your way to another level, then continue until you don’t need addiction treatment.

Treatment programs you can expect to be covered through United Healthcare include:7,8

Detox Services

In some cases, you may need assistance when detoxing from drugs and alcohol, which can potentially be uncomfortable, painful, or even life threatening. Medical detox helps you safely withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, as you’ll receive around-the-clock medical supervision. You might also be given medications, like Methadone, to help minimize withdrawal symptoms. Read more about Detox Facilities Near Me.

Inpatient or Residential Treatment

Inpatient/residential live-in treatment facilities provide drug rehab while you live onsite at the facility. Most inpatient programs last anywhere from 15–90 days, depending on the program you’re in and your individual needs. Read more about Inpatient or Residential Treatment Centers.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Partial hospitalization programs give you the opportunity to live at home while attending treatment during the day. Read more about the Importance of Finding a Strong Partial Hospitalization Program.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs involve attending drug treatment programs a few evenings a week. In an intensive outpatient program, you can live at home and even go to work during the day. Read more about Intensive Outpatient Programs and Therapy.

Outpatient Treatment

Individuals who have completed inpatient treatment often attend outpatient programs for ongoing support on their journey to sobriety. You live at home and spend 10–12 hours a week at the treatment facility for therapy and support. Read more about Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab.

What Rehab Centers Accept United Healthcare Insurance?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) has various inpatient and outpatient rehab centers located around the country that provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment. If you have an United Healthcare insurance plan, the following AAC facilities accept United Healthcare 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 telehealth.
  • Recovery First Treatment Center: Located in Hollywood, Florida, Recovery First treats substance use disorders by combining evidence-based therapeutic modalities with top-level care. Recovery First provides a personalized continuum of care including detox services, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment, intensive outpatient services, outpatient services, and telehealth.

In-network rehab facilities are approved or have a contract with the UHC insurance to offer services at a set price. This means that your out-of-pocket expenses will typically be lower than if you choose an out-of-network rehab center. In some cases, you may even be responsible for the full cost of substance abuse rehab if you choose an out-of-network facility.

Whenever possible, try to choose a treatment facility that is in-network with United Healthcare Group. If you are unable to find an in-network provider or prefer a rehabilitation facility that is out-of-network, you may be able to work out a payment plan with the center so you can pay back the cost of treatment over time.

What Are the Coverage Levels and Plans for United Healthcare?

Levels of Cover and Treatment Plans Offered by UnitedHealth

United Healthcare’s health plans vary depending on state of residence. There are several tiers of coverage, but United Healthcare generally offers 3 levels of care.3-6

United Healthcare Choice: This plan offers in-network coverage with 895,000 plus providers nationwide. There is no coverage for out-of-network providers.

United Healthcare Choice Plus: This plan offers cost savings to stay in the United Healthcare network and provides less coverage for out-of-network providers.

United Healthcare Options PPO: This plan offers savings for out-of-pocket costs when using a member of the preferred provider network.

Location is typically not a barrier to seeking drug or alcohol addiction treatment with United Healthcare if the individual works with an in-network provider. With United Healthcare Choice Plus or UnitedHealthcare Options PPO, you can still choose an out-of-network provider, but the co-pay will be higher.

How to Check Your United Health Group Rehab Coverage

It’s always best to be sure about what your healthcare benefits are included in your rehab coverage. You don’t want to be caught by surprise with unexpected financial costs. You may wonder if United Healthcare Group covers drug rehabilitation and addiction treatment, and the only way to really have the answer to this is to check your United Healthcare Group health plan coverage.

Knowing exactly what United Healthcare plans cover, can give you peace of mind while you or your loved one is in a rehab facility. You can do the work of getting and staying sober without worrying about unexpected costs or financial struggles.

How to Verify the Coverage of Your United Healthcare Plan?

Checking Your UHC Insurance Plan for Addiction Rehab Coverage

The cost of drug and alcohol addiction treatment will vary from person to person. It will depend on the treatment center, the type of program attended, and specific services received. Level of treatment required may vary depending on the severity of the addiction and the type of substance such as alcohol, cocaine, opioid or heroin. If you’re wanting to find out more about insurance coverage for specific addictions, the articles below can help:

Before deciding on a rehab center, check your United Healthcare policy benefits to determine which costs will be covered by your insurance plan and which will be out-of-pocket for you. Call the number on your insurance card or log in to your account on UHC’s website to determine how much you may need to cover in terms of copays and any deductible that must be reached before coverage kicks in for the services you need.

What Should I Do if United Healthcare Group Won’t Cover the Total Cost of Rehab?

How to Pay for Rehab if UHC Won’t Cover the Full Cost

If your health insurance plan won’t cover your drug rehab treatment, don’t despair, because many facilities offer payment plans that will allow you to get the treatment you need. Government programs also offer aid to recovering addicts that can prove helpful. Many substance abuse facilities will work with you to figure out how to have access to treatment and make it affordable.

There are other resources to help you cover the cost of rehab for addiction. You can check with the rehab facility for a sliding scale fee or payment arrangement. Additionally, some treatment centers offer financial aid or scholarships for treatment. If those options aren’t available, you could try to get a loan from family or friends.

Here are some resources that can help:

So, can you use your United Healthcare Group insurance coverage for addiction treatment? Yes, you can! The specific details and how much the insurance pays for will depend on your plan and the provider you choose. However, there are options to help you pay if your insurance doesn’t cover the full cost.

What’s most important is that you can get the help you need to treat your addiction. There is a lot of information regarding health insurance that can be confusing and perhaps overwhelming. If you would like some help in sorting through this information to the get the substance abuse treatment you need, make sure to call your insurance company or speak to one of our admissions navigators today. They can outline the details of your plan and help guide your search so you can find a drug program that will be the right for you.

Sources

  1. UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). Who We Are.
  2. Healthcare.gov. (2021). Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coverage.
  3. UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). Group benefit plans.
  4. UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). UnitedHealthcare Choice.
  5. UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus.
  6. UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). UnitedHealthcare Options – PPO.
  7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition): Types of Treatment Programs.
  8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide: Treatment Settings.
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