Mercy Care Insurance Coverage for Addiction Treatment

MercyCare was founded in 1994 and offers health plans in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. The insurance plans use the Mercyhealth hospital system as their network allowing members to access seven hospitals and over 85 specialty facilities.

The company offers individual and family plans on the state Marketplaces as well as employer plans and Medicare supplement plans. They are committed to high quality affordable medical care.

Does MercyCare Cover Addiction Rehab?

Most MercyCare plans will cover addiction rehab, including all plans sold in the state Insurance Marketplaces. In 2010 the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed and one component of the law states that mental healthcare and substance use disorder treatment is considered essential medical care. However there are exceptions to the law so it is important to get your full plan details and understand your coverage and requirements.

In most cases a determination of medical necessity is required for insurance to cover the treatment. Your primary care provider can work with you to determine the appropriate level of care needed for your alcohol or substance use disorder.

One way this can be accomplished is by completing the ASAM — the American Society of Addiction Medicine assessment. This tool looks at factors such as your needs along with assets and strengths. It also considers obstacles and liabilities as well as resource structures to help determine the appropriate level of care for you and to create a personalized treatment plan. This treatment plan shows what’s medically necessary in your specific case and can help you look for the right treatment center right away.

What Are MercyCare Plans?

MercyCare offers multiple plans. You can get individual and family plans on the Illinois or Wisconsin insurance Marketplace. These plans are generally health maintenance organizations (HMOs) which require you to have a primary care provider (PCP) to coordinate your care. Your PCP will give you referrals to specialists such as addiction treatment or mental health professionals. They can also help you get preauthorization when needed.

MercyCare also helps employers offer health insurance to their employees. They have options for large and small employers. Many of these plans will have coverage for addiction treatment but you’ll want to make sure you check the details of your plan.

Finally for those who have Original Medicare and want help with their out of pocket expenses MercyCare offers Medicare Supplement plans. These plans are also known as Medigap.

What Inpatient Addiction Treatment Does MercyCare Cover?

Determination of medical necessity is often a requirement for any addiction treatment and especially for inpatient rehab. Inpatient or residential care is the most intensive and expensive type of rehab but it can allow you to lay a solid foundation for recovery if it’s part of your treatment plan.

Medical detox is one type of inpatient treatment that may be a covered service. For individuals who need close medical supervision and medical stabilization this is often the first step in recovery. This is especially true in individuals who have severe addictions to substances that can have dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox provides 24/7 medical supervision and may treat withdrawal symptoms with medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Inpatient or residential care occurs in hospital settings or addiction treatment facilities. For some this is a continuation of inpatient medical detox and for others this is the first step toward recovery. During inpatient treatment individuals have 24/7 care by medical professionals and addiction specialists. Individual and group therapy is a major focus during inpatient or residential care and uses a range of approaches including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Some centers also use motivational interviewing and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) along with holistic treatments such as yoga and meditation. Residential treatment also includes exercise and recreational therapy as well as nutritional counseling.

Inpatient or residential programs typically range from 30 to 90 days with research finding the most success with the 90 day programs. It is always important to remember that each individual is on a unique recovery journey and your primary care providers and addictions team will work with you to determine the best program for your needs.

What Outpatient Rehab Does MercyCare Cover?

Depending on medical necessity and your plan details your MercyCare plan may cover outpatient rehab. Because plans differ greatly it is important to check with your insurance provider before starting any treatment programs to determine coverage and if there is a need for prior authorizations or referrals. You’ll also want to find out what providers are in the network.

There are various levels of outpatient rehab. The most intense outpatient treatment are partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). These programs allow individuals to return home each night but still require a full day commitment in most cases. Most of these programs require at least 20 hours of treatment per week. During treatment you get individual and group therapy which may include a wide range of approaches. These programs normally last for 90 days but that may differ from person to person.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are more flexible because you’re only attending treatment for three to four hours each time. This allows you to work around family and work or school commitments. Relapse prevention and building healthy coping skills are the main objectives in this type of programming. Through individual and group therapy utilizing evidence based practices such as CBT and alternative therapies such as art and music therapy you’ll learn new habits and practice new mindsets to help you achieve and maintain recovery.

MAT is also an option for many individuals in these types of programs. Medication assisted treatment uses FDA approved medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and normalize brain chemistry while also decreasing cravings. When used over a longer timeframe MAT allows you to stay stable in treatment and avoid relapse until you can establish long term sobriety.

Does MercyCare Cover Methadone & Suboxone (MAT)?

Many MercyCare plans will cover MAT if it’s appropriate for your needs. Each insurance plan is different so it is important to verify what your coverage looks like and if you need a referral or preauthorization before you begin.

The use of FDA approved medication like Methadone and Suboxone has been shown to decrease the incidence of relapse and decrease the risk of overdose death. MAT can be used during medical detox or for longer term treatment for opioid or alcohol misuse. When used longer term it is generally paired with evidence based treatment to help you reach long term recovery.

Does MercyCare Cover Other Mental Healthcare?

Under the ACA mental healthcare is considered an essential health benefit and many MercyCare plans will offer coverage for it. However there are exceptions to the law and each plan will have different coverage limits and requirements so be sure to get full details before you start treatment.

For many with addiction there is a co occurring mental health condition such as depression or anxiety or PTSD or other disorders. Comprehensive treatment recognizes that successful recovery not only means sobriety but that underlying conditions are also addressed. For individuals with co occurring conditions integrated care is essential to address mental health and addiction at the same time.

Mental health care can include both inpatient and outpatient care that may include therapy and medication management along with other evidence based practices.

Does Addiction Treatment Need to Be In Network?

This depends on the type of plan you are enrolled in. It is important to understand your benefits in order to make sure you meet the requirements for coverage before starting a program.

Many plans will not cover out of network care. In cases where it is covered, there is likely to be higher out of pocket expenses such as higher deductibles and copayments. It is always best to try to remain in network to get the most out of your benefits coverage.

How Long Will MercyCare Cover Rehab?

The length of time MercyCare will cover rehab depends on a number of factors. This is where having determination of medical necessity and a treatment plan is crucial. Each benefit plan has different requirements and provides different levels of coverage. Working with your primary care provider and addictions team will help you to get the most out of your particular benefits plan.

Time in treatment varies from person to person. For inpatient and IOP, research has shown that 90 day programs are the most effective in preventing relapse and supporting long term sobriety. Individual therapy and aftercare programs can last for months or years, it is always important to remember that each recovery journey is unique and that there is no set time that is right for everyone.

How to Verify Coverage With MercyCare

There are a number of ways to verify coverage with MercyCare. The first is to contact the company directly. Often the member service phone number is on the back of your member ID card. Calling and speaking with a representative is a good way to help you understand what your benefits are and can help you find providers or facilities that will take your type of insurance.

Another way is to utilize MercyCare’s online member services page. Here you can find a wide variety of information including coverage information and in network providers along with details on requirements for coverage.

In some instances a treatment center can help to verify coverage. They will need the exact plan name and your ID and group number because each individual plan has different covered benefits and requirements.