Does Aetna covers Alcohol rehab or Detox Centers?

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, you may be researching alcohol rehab programs to attend. Like many other healthcare services in the United States, attending alcohol rehab comes at a cost. Fortunately, if you have an Aetna health insurance plan, you may be able to use it to help cover some or all of the costs associated with alcohol rehab.

Because there are many different health plans offered by Aetna, it’s impossible to say what’s covered in general by Aetna insurance. To find out what’s covered under your health insurance plan and how many rehab centers are in-network with your specific plan, call the number on the back of your insurance card.

What Does Aetna Insurance Cover for Alcohol Treatment?

Under the Affordable Care Act, almost all U.S. health insurance plans, including those offered by Aetna Insurance, are federally mandated to provide coverage in some capacity for 10 essential health benefits, 1 of which being mental health and behavioral health services.¹ Specifically, plans must offer some level of coverage for substance use disorder treatment, inpatient mental and behavioral health, and outpatient behavioral health services.¹

Depending on your specific plan, it may provide coverage for the following services in alcohol rehab:

• Screenings, Commonly employed at the very beginning of treatment, a provider may use a screening or intervention to assess your alcohol consumption and behaviors in order to determine whether you have an alcohol use disorder.²
• Detox. If you have an alcohol addiction or use disorder, a provider may determine that you should undergo the process of ridding your body of alcohol and other substances, which is known as detoxification.^{3, para 2} Detox is generally done in a medically supervised setting, as withdrawal or detox can cause potentially life-threatening or acute side effects.^{3, para 2}
• Inpatient. Patients who attend an inpatient rehab program remain at the facility for the duration of their care, which could last days to weeks or months, where they receive 24/7 medically supervised care.^{4, (How are behavioral therapies used to treat drug addiction?)}
• Outpatient. Patients who attend an outpatient rehab program travel to a facility to attend their sessions 1–2 times a week, but travel home after their session is complete.^{4, (How are behavioral therapies used to treat drug addiction?)}
• Behavioral therapies. Providers may employ behavioral therapies at any point during treatment, which involve encouraging patients to stop or refrain from using alcohol, modify attitudes, and learn important life skills for coping with stress that does not involve using alcohol or any other substance.⁵
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders. Someone who has both a mental illness and substance use disorder at the same time is said to have a co-occurring disorder.⁶ Having one increases the likelihood twofold that you will develop the other at some point in your life.⁶ Because the 2 conditions are interconnected, tandem treatment, where each condition is treated at the same time, is often recommended.^{6 “What should I do?”}

Depending on your unique situation, any of these treatment methods may be recommended for your path to recovery. However, it is not guaranteed that it will be covered under your insurance plan. Aetna provides health insurance solutions to 39 million people.⁷ It provides plans in all 50 states and across the globe.⁷

Due to this, there are many different plans that may be available, and every plan provides different coverage. To find out what is and is not covered under your plan, please call the number on the back of your insurance card.

What Aetna does not cover for Alcohol Treatment?

Every plan varies in how it covers alcohol treatment services. Depending on your specific plan, there may also be exclusions to your coverage. Some elements, which may include the following, may not be covered by your plan:

• Non-medical amenities
• Holistic care services
• Recreation programs
• Food delivery
• Private treatment services
• Alternative therapies

How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost?

One of the primary concerns for most people surrounding attending alcohol rehab is the cost. Costs can fluctuate, and how much your health insurance through Aetna may cover and offset some of the costs associated with treatment can vary. Some factors that may play a role in determining how much alcohol rehab costs, aside from the type of plan that you have, include where you seek care and whether the facility is a luxury treatment center or offers extensive amenities, the specific rehab treatments you need, and how intense of care you’ll receive.

You may find yourself in a position where your Aetna plan doesn’t fully or partially cover the costs associated with rehab. If this happens to you, while you may be on the hook for paying for the costs of care, there may be alternate payment options available to you. Depending on the rehab center you choose to attend, there may be financing and scholarship opportunities. Be sure to ask the rehab center whether any of these options are available to you.

Cost of Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

The costs of inpatient alcohol rehab, similar to any type of alcohol addiction treatment, is dependent upon the plan you have, where you seek care, and how long you may be in care. However, even though every plan is different, it’s generally accepted that the costs of inpatient alcohol rehab will be more expensive than the costs associated with outpatient alcohol rehab, as you’re living at the facility for the duration of your care. You may be able to ask the rehab center or your health insurance plan representative for a quote or estimate for the treatment plan you may have.

Cost of Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

The costs of outpatient alcohol rehab are fluid. Some factors that affect the cost of outpatient rehab for alcohol addiction, aside from the plan you have, include the number of outpatient sessions you need and whether your provider is an in-network provider. You can find out whether your provider is within your plan’s network by calling the number on the back of your insurance card.

Cost of Alcohol Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

As a type of rehab program that combines outpatient and inpatient rehab programs, PHPs may be the right fit for you. The length of time you’re in a PHP and where you attend rehab will affect the costs of your treatment. You can work with the rehab center directly or an Aetna health insurance provider to learn more about your plan’s coverage details for PHPs.

Cost of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of treatment method in which your provider prescribes certain medication that is designed to help you curb or stop your substance use while mitigating the side effects of withdrawal.⁸ Most health insurance plans provide coverage for prescription drugs, but the specifics of coverage details can vary. Be sure to call the number on the back of your insurance card to discuss prescription drug coverage under your Aetna plan.

Alcohol Rehab vs. the Cost of Alcohol Addiction

Just like many other healthcare services, treating alcohol addiction comes at a cost. However, choosing to delay or not invest in treatment can have far-reaching effects. On a global scale, the harmful use of alcohol causes 3 million deaths.⁹ What’s more, alcohol use or misuse is linked to more than 200 diseases or other injury-related conditions⁹ and 43.1% of liver disease deaths in the United States, which totaled 85,688 in 2019.^{10 “Alcohol and the human body”}

Beyond the health effects and associated costs, alcohol addiction is linked to higher incarceration rates and lost income, which can perpetuate the cycle. All this goes to say that, although it may seem expensive to get the treatment you need today, putting it off puts you at an increased risk for negative health conditions and other negative aspects. Get the care you need today; you won’t be disappointed.

What Length of Alcohol Rehab Does Aetna Cover?

Figuring out how long your Aetna plan will cover alcohol rehab is largely dependent upon the plan you have, the type of treatment you need, the intensity of your rehab program, and whether the rehab program or facility is within your plan’s network. To check all of this information, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card or work with the rehab center directly.

By verifying your plan details and benefits ahead of time whenever possible, you can help keep your costs as low as possible.

That said, it’s important to keep in mind that how long your Aetna medical coverage will extend to alcohol rehab may not align with how long your provider recommends you remain in treatment. Generally speaking, experts recommend longer treatment times for improved overall outcomes.

Specifically, experts recommend patients remain in treatment for at least 90 days to reduce or stop substance use and improve overall outcomes. ^{11, bullet 5} Please keep in mind that every person is different, and you should work with your provider to determine how long you should remain in treatment.

Choosing between Aetna Inpatient vs. Outpatient Alcohol Rehab Centers

Making the choice between a specific type of rehab program or rehab center is a personal choice, and is one that you should make in conjunction with your mental health care provider. An inpatient rehab center is not inherently better than an outpatient center. However, based on your personal situation and personality, one may be better than the other for your path to recovery.

When talking to your mental health care provider about a treatment plan, be sure to discuss aspects of care such as quality of care, treatment ecosystem, support group, level of focus in the environment, and accountability, as it pertains to an inpatient vs. outpatient facility. Only you and your provider can make the informed choice over which environment will best support your treatment experience.

How to Use Aetna Insurance for Alcohol Rehab?

Using your Aetna Insurance to help pay for alcohol rehab doesn’t have to be confusing. The process for how to use your plan may vary slightly per the plan you have. However, a general process to follow includes consulting your primary care doctor or an in-network mental health care specialist.

Together, you’ll discuss your situation and find a suitable rehab program that may be right for you. At this point, you’ll want to determine your ability to use your Aetna plan at the facility. You can request that your doctor only refer you to covered facilities or programs under your plan. You can also work with rehab centers directly to determine your ability to use your plan at the facility for the treatment plan suggested to you.

How to Find Alcohol Rehabs That Accept Aetna Insurance

If you’re ready to take the next step toward overcoming your alcohol addiction, American Addiction Centers (AAC) is here to help. AAC is a nationwide addiction treatment leader and has facilities where you can seek care across the country. They can also help you find a nearby covered facility where you can seek care.

Call our helpline today to speak to a person who can check your benefits right while you’re on the phone. Our trained staff can help you learn more about your treatment options and more about alcohol addiction treatment in general. We’re here to simplify alcohol addiction treatment and help you get started on your journey. Call us today to get started.

What Rehab Centers Take Aetna Insurance?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) has various rehab facilities around the country that provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment. If you have an Aetna insurance plan, the following AAC facilities accept Aetna 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.
• 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 telehealth, all in a luxurious setting with high-end amenities.
• 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 telehealth, all with individualized treatment programs.
• 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.
• River Oaks Treatment Center: Located in Riverview, Florida, River Oaks treats substance use disorders through combining evidence-based therapies with world-class amenities. Provided care includes detox, residential treatment, behavioral disorder treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment, outpatient services, and telehealth, all with individualized treatment programs.

There are various rehab 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 Aetna insurance.