Does Meritain Health cover Inpatient alcohol and drug rehab centers?

When you struggle with substance use, it’s easy to feel like there’s no way to escape. However, there are high-quality substance use treatment centers that can help you develop new habits and break free from alcohol and drug use.

How can you afford treatment? If you have Meritain Health coverage, your health insurance can help you pay for some or all of the cost of rehab. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all long-term health insurance plans to offer some level of coverage for 10 essential health benefits, and substance use and mental health treatment are included in the list.^{1, fifth bullet}

Keep in mind that coverage will vary depending on your specific plan, so be sure to verify your insurance before you commit to a treatment program. You can call the phone number on the back of your insurance card or reach out to American Addiction Centers (AAC) anytime, 24/7.

What will Meritain Health cover?

No single substance use treatment program works for everyone, so it’s important to work with your doctor to find the right rehab program for your needs. Your doctor will ask about what substances you use, how long you’ve used them, and more. It’s vital to be honest because your answers will help you get the care you need from your Meritain Health rehabilitation coverage.

Every person’s treatment plan will be different, but some of the most common treatment options include:^{2, 3}

• Inpatient rehab. Inpatient care is an option for those who want to focus on their sobriety without the distractions of everyday life. During inpatient treatment, residents are able to completely focus on improving their lives without the worries of work, school, or home life. Inpatient care can provide a fresh start and allow you to learn new habits so you can live free of substance use.
• Outpatient rehab. Outpatient treatment allows you to continue living at home while getting the help you need. Outpatient sessions focus on drug abuse education, individual and group counseling, and teaching participants how to cope without their substance use. This type of treatment can be a starting point for treatment or a follow-up after you graduate from inpatient treatment.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP). IOP programs offer counseling, educational programs, and medication management if required, and you still live at home. IOP programs usually run three to five days per week and last a few hours per day. This type of care is more focused than normal outpatient care and can help you build the skills you need to live life without substance use.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP). PHPs are hospital-based forms of outpatient drug rehabilitation that offer a high level of care while still allowing the individual to reside at home. They provide structure and intensity similar to inpatient/residential programs, but you still go home at night. PHPs typically offer one-on-one therapy, group therapy, family meetings, medical services, and treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.

No matter what treatment plan your doctor gives you, what’s important is that you complete the program fully. That means graduating from your initial rehab and following through with any additional outpatient or after-care support. It’s tempting to stop treatment when you start to feel better, but getting all the support you can gives you the best chance at a full recovery.

Does Meritain Health Cover Mental Health Care Treatment Facilities?

If you struggle with both mental health and substance use, you might feel especially isolated. However, you’re not alone. In fact, 50% of those with substance use concerns also have a mental health diagnosis, which is known as a co-occurring condition.^{4, second paragraph} What mental health issues are common with substance use?

Research shows that anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and personality disorders are among the conditions that are common with substance use.^{4, second paragraph} What’s important if you have a co-occurring condition is treating both your substance use and mental health together. Research shows that integrated treatment gives you a far better chance of recovery compared to only treating one condition or the other.^{5, first paragraph}

Can your Meritain Health plan help you get mental health treatment? Yes, the ACA includes both substance use and mental health treatment in the list of essential health benefits, so you can rely on your Meritain Health mental health benefits to help you get the care you need. However, each plan will offer different levels of coverage. That’s why it’s so important to verify your insurance coverage before you commit to a program.

You can contact the insurer directly or reach out to AAC by phone or online anytime. Our admissions navigators can review your coverage in just a few minutes while they chat with you. They’re also available to answer any questions you have about rehab.

How Long Does Meritain Health Cover Inpatient alcohol and drug rehab?

How long is substance use treatment? The answer is different for everyone and will depend on your specific program. Meritain health insurance benefits will focus on covering evidence-based treatment that your doctor considers medically necessary. Research shows that most people need at least 90 days to make a significant change in their substance use habits, including stopping use.^{6, fifth point} That’s why many treatment programs are at least 3 months long.

Your specific rehab plan may be longer, however. For example, you might attend a three-month inpatient rehabilitation program and then have a year or more of outpatient treatment and aftercare. The key is to complete your entire program, even if it has multiple parts. You deserve a life free from substance use. By completing your entire program, you give yourself the best chance of long-term recovery.

What if my Meritain Health policy does not cover Inpatient alcohol and drug rehab?

As you review various treatment options, you might find out that your Meritain Health medical insurance covers only part of the cost of rehab, and you’re responsible for the rest. Or, you might discover that the rehab you’re most interested in isn’t part of the Meritain health network, so it’s not covered at all, and you have to pay the full cost. Don’t let these things keep you from getting the treatment you need. There are many ways to pay for rehab, and Meritain Health medical insurance is only part of the overall picture.

Some treatment programs offer scholarships, for example, or you might be able to work out a payment plan for the amount you owe. You can work with a rehab that has a sliding scale of fees based on your finances, or you may be able to borrow money from friends and family. The key is that recovery from substance use is the top priority. Once you’re substance-free, you’ll be happier, healthier, and far better able to manage your financial obligations.

Don’t put off substance use treatment. Misusing drugs or alcohol has serious long-term health and legal consequences, and you need to break free before it’s too late.

Meritain Health In-Network vs. Out-of-Network drug rehab centers

When you review your health insurance to learn more about different treatment options, you’ll notice that some treatment centers are listed as “in-network” and others are “out-of-network.” What does that mean?

All insurance providers have a group of doctors and medical facilities that agree to work with plan members for a lower fee in return for the plan encouraging members to visit those providers.^{7, p. 1 What’s a Provider Network} This group of doctors and facilities is known as the insurance plan’s network.^{7, p. 1 What’s a Provider Network}

When you use those providers, you’ll pay less money out of pocket and get better coverage from your Meritain Health benefits.^{7, p. 2, Why do some plans…} However, many insurance plans don’t provide coverage outside the network, so you may have to pay the full cost yourself.^{7, p. 2, Why do some plans…}

To maximize coverage and save as much money as you can, focus on substance treatment programs that are part of the Meritain Health network coverage. If your ideal rehab program isn’t one of the Meritain health in-network providers, don’t panic — you may have to pay more of the cost, but there are multiple ways to afford rehab, as we mentioned above.

If you’re not sure whether a provider is within your network, feel free to contact the insurance company directly or connect with AAC. We can verify your coverage in just a few minutes and help answer your questions about substance use treatment. Simply call or fill out the form below now.

How to find Meritain Health covered Alcohol and Drug Centers?

Struggling with substance use can be overwhelming and leave you feeling isolated, but help is available. Even better, your Meritain Health drug rehab coverage can help you afford the cost of treatment.

In order to maximize your insurance coverage, you’ll want to choose a provider that’s covered by your Meritain Health rehab insurance. You can call the insurer using the number on the back of your card, or you can contact AAC by phone or online. Whether you call, use online chat, or fill out our contact form, we’re here to help.

You deserve a happy, healthy life without substance use so you can pursue the goals that are important to you. To take the first step toward freedom, contact us today.