Does BCBS of Alabama Insurance Cover Drug Rehab?

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama was founded in 1936 and is one of the oldest nonprofit health insurance companies in the US. They’re a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and are headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

The company covers 2.8 million people and they provide plans for individuals, employers, and those on Medicare. You can also get specialty plans such as vision and dental coverage, life insurance, and special policies for travelers. BCBS of Alabama are committed to giving back to the communities they serve.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Cover Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

Most Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance plans cover substance abuse treatment. The amount of coverage depends on your specific plan, the treatment you choose, and whether the drug or alcohol rehab is in network or out of network.

Treatment generally starts with a visit to the primary care physician who can create a treatment plan for you and then provide any referral you might need. The doctor can also contact the insurance company for preauthorization if needed.

To learn more about your coverage and any out of pocket expenses, call the number on the back of your insurance card to speak with a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama representative.

Does Blue Cross of Alabama Cover Other Mental Healthcare?

Most Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama plans cover a variety of mental and behavioral health services. Benefits vary depending on your specific policy and the type of service. It is always best to call your provider or Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama to determine actual coverage.

The mental health services that may be covered under your policy include crisis support and assessments along with individual and group therapy. You may also be able to access more intensive outpatient care for mental healthcare, substance use, or both.

It’s common to struggle with both substance use and mental health concerns which is known as a co-occurring disorder. In those cases it’s essential that both mental health and substance use are treated at the same time. Having your BCBS of Alabama insurance cover both mental health treatment and substance use allows you to get this integrated treatment.

What Are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Plans?

BCBS of Alabama offers a wide variety of plans. They have individual and family plans you can get from your employer or through the state’s Insurance Marketplace. They also have Medicare options and specialty plans.

The individual and family plans can have a variety of formats. A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is often the least expensive monthly premium. If you have an HMO, you will choose a primary care provider to give you referrals to specialists. You’ll also need to stay within the network of providers for care. On the other end of the spectrum is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), which is more expensive each month but gives you the freedom to go to specialists without referrals. You can also get care outside the provider network but you will pay much higher out of pocket costs.

BCBS of Alabama also offers Medicare plans. Those with Original Medicare can buy a Part D prescription drug plan and a Medicare supplement plan. You can also replace Original Medicare with a Medicare Advantage plan and get additional benefits Medicare doesn’t usually cover. However you will have to stay within the Advantage plan’s provider network.

Finally, you can get a variety of targeted specialty plans to help cover dental care, vision and glasses, life insurance, and even short or long term travel.

What Inpatient Addiction Treatment Does Blue Cross of Alabama Cover?

Inpatient detox and rehab are typically covered by BCBS of Alabama. It is important to understand the benefits coverage under your particular plan. For example, you might need to prove medical need or get prior authorization. You also want to find out if you need to use an in network provider and how much you’ll pay out of pocket. That’s why it’s vital to check with their medical and insurance providers before starting treatment.

Inpatient treatment often starts with medical detox but not everyone will require this service. Medical detox is beneficial because it allows for close medical observation and treatment during the withdrawal process. These types of programs utilize Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) where FDA approved medications such as, but not limited to, naltrexone, buprenorphine, disulfiram, and acamprosate are used to ease the symptoms of alcohol and drug withdrawal.

Once medical detox is complete inpatient treatment can start. Inpatient or residential treatment can be anywhere from 30 days to long term sober living options. This type of treatment is intensive, allows for 24/7 support, and gives you a chance to focus on recovery without any external distractions. It has been shown to decrease relapse rates and utilizes a variety of therapy approaches to meet your unique needs.

Inpatient or residential rehab involves individual, group and sometimes family therapy. Behavioral approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Motivational interviewing help you process behaviors that contribute to addiction and learn ways to live substance free. Some programs also utilize holistic approaches to recovery such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and recreational activities.

To help you transition to daily life after treatment, many programs also offer job training and housing assistance along with life skills like nutritional counseling and anger management. Relapse prevention is also a focus and you may be connected with peer support services after discharge.

What Outpatient Rehab Does Blue Cross of Alabama Cover?

Life after inpatient treatment requires a lot of adjustment, and outpatient treatment can help you stay on track. Programs such as partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) along with general outpatient treatment can make a big difference to your ongoing recovery. Most BCBS of Alabama plans will cover this treatment if it’s medically needed but you’ll want to verify your coverage details to make sure.

Partial hospitalization programs are full day programs but you return home or to a sober living environment at the end of the day. A PHP provides intensive treatment usually requiring 20 or more hours per week of programming. In addition to individual and group therapy, these programs may also offer medical support for individuals who need it.

Intensive outpatient programs continue to offer addiction treatment but allow a flexible schedule. Many IOPs meet 9 hours per week, spread over three days. This type of treatment is best for people with mild or moderate addiction or those who are transitioning from recent residential treatment. Through individual and group sessions you will learn coping skills, understand your triggers, and learn how to change destructive behaviors. An important component of an IOP is peer support. Because most therapy is done in a group setting, participants not only have the support of the group facilitator but receive support from their peers who understand what the struggle for recovery is like.

Recovery is a lifetime commitment to sobriety and change. That’s why general outpatient treatment that includes two or three hours a week of support can continue for quite some time after your initial treatment programs. It may include individual therapy and group therapy.

Does Blue Cross of Alabama Cover Methadone & Suboxone (MAT)?

The use of Methadone and Suboxone as a part of medication assisted treatment (MAT) may be covered by your BCBS of Alabama plan but there may be specific requirements. You might need a referral or preauthorization before you begin treatment.

Medication Assisted Treatment is used during medical detox and it can also be a long term treatment for alcohol and opioid misuse. By using FDA approved medications MAT helps to normalize brain chemistry and block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opiates along with minimizing cravings. MAT helps keep you stable during the treatment process and has been proven to decrease relapse rates and overdose deaths.

How to Verify Coverage With BCBS of Alabama

There are a number of ways to verify coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Individuals may call the number on the back of the member ID card and speak with a care representative. Another option is to use your account on the BCBS website to not only verify coverage but also find providers and locate educational information on alcohol and substance use disorder.

Often, treatment centers will help individuals verify their insurance coverage and will help obtain prior authorization for services, if needed. It is important to have the plan name and member ID number when verifying coverage because there are a wide variety of BCBS of Alabama insurance plans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Insurance for Drug Rehab