UPMC Health Plan Coverage for Addiction Treatment

UPMC Health Plan is the insurance arm of the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) health company that provides integrated health care and insurance coverage to residents of western and central Pennsylvania plus parts of Maryland and Ohio and West Virginia. They are headquartered in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

UPMC has their own network of hospitals and doctors and they also contract with other providers including the Cigna PPO network to serve members who live or travel outside of their main service locations. UPMC actively supports Pennsylvania community arts and education groups such as the Pittsburgh Promise, an educational scholarship fund to which they donated $10 million in 2023.

Does UPMC Health Plan Cover Addiction Treatment?

As required by the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) most UPMC Health Plan insurance plans offer mental health and substance abuse treatment along with other medical care. However there are exceptions to the law and every insurance plan is different, so be sure to check with your insurance provider to find out which addiction treatments are covered by your specific plan.

Most UPMC in network substance abuse rehabs are in Pittsburgh, but there are some UPMC covered rehabs in Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia. If you have a Cigna PPO plan or other out of network plan that has a partnership with UPMC Health Plan, you may have other treatment centers available to you as well.

What UPMC Health Plans Are Available?

UPMC offers individual and family plans through the state Insurance Marketplace and through employers. If you qualify you can also get Medicare or Medicaid plans through UMPC.

The individual and family plans have several different options. They have Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans, which require you to get care in the provider network but you don’t need a referral to see a specialist such as an addiction counselor.

They also have Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, which require you to stay in network and to get a referral for specialist care. However, HMOs are often the least expensive on a monthly basis. Finally, a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) gives you the most flexibility with some out of network coverage and no referrals required. However these plans tend to cost the most each month.

UPMC Health Plan offers Medicare Advantage (“Medicare part C”) HMO and PPO plans. Medicare plans by UPMC healthcare are called UPMC for Life. These plans provide the same services as regular Medicare, including coverage for addiction care, but they generally offer extra benefits like prescription coverage and vision and dental care. Your Medicare Advantage plan will have its own coverage limits and requirements to get addiction treatment, so be sure to work with your doctor and get the referrals and preauthorization you need before you commit to treatment.

Medicaid plans by UPMC healthcare are called UPMC for You. Like regular Medicaid, these plans cover medical treatment and substance abuse treatment. They also cover prescriptions and dental care.

If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, UPMC for Life Complete Care offers $0 premium fees and $0 copays on medical care and $0 copays for prescriptions. It also offers dental and vision and hearing benefits. Members can get free transportation to healthcare providers and grocery stores along with fitness centers and adult day care centers. There’s also an allowance you can use to buy over the counter products.

What Inpatient Addiction Treatment Does UPMC Health Cover?

All insurance plans will focus on covering medically necessary care which is often defined by the treatment plan your doctor creates. It’s also important to verify your insurance and make sure you get a referral or preauthorization if necessary.

Some of the inpatient drug rehab treatment options that may be included in UPMC Health Plan’s behavioral health insurance policies are medical detox and residential treatment.

Detoxification is the process of letting substances leave your body. Many times you’ll get medical support to help you move through withdrawal symptoms. This may include medication assisted treatment (MAT). Commonly used MAT medications for treating alcohol or opioid addiction are methadone and buprenorphine along with naltrexone.

Inpatient treatment takes place in a clinic or hospital and residential care takes place in a non hospital facility and offers a more home like setting. Both options provide around the clock support and care.

Residential treatment often lasts 28 to 30 days or more. You’ll get a variety of therapy options which often includes holistic approaches like art or music therapy. Inpatient or residential treatment allows you to fully focus on your recovery without any distractions.

What Outpatient Rehab Does UMPC Health Plan Cover?

Outpatient programs allow you to live at home or in a sober living house while attending treatment during the day. As with any other treatment it’s important to verify your insurance plan before you begin so you know you’re getting the coverage you expect.

There are multiple types of outpatient care. The most intensive outpatient treatment is a partial hospitalization program (PHP). This is a full day program that offers more than 20 hours of treatment per week. The treatment options are similar to inpatient or residential care.

At the next level are intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) which typically involve nine to 20 hours of treatment each week, with the hours spread over three to five days. Often 90 days of IOP treatment are recommended. The lowest intensity is general outpatient treatment, where counseling and education sessions may take place at a clinic or rehab facility once or twice a week. Addiction and relapse prevention education are provided, with individual sessions offered as needed.

Do UPMC Health Plans Have Additional Benefits?

Part of what makes UPMC Health stand out is the extra benefits members receive. For example preventive services may be free of charge and members can access virtual (telehealth or video) urgent care services to diagnose illness or prescribe medication.

They also have the MyHealth program that provides free health coaching for weight loss and smoking cessation along with tips on stress management and more. Finally, members can get six sessions of free counseling with a trained counselor through the Life Solutions program.

Does UMPC Health Plan Cover Methadone & Suboxone (MAT)?

MAT is covered by most UMPC plans. This treatment uses FDA approved medications to help those with alcohol and substance use disorder during the early recovery period. These medications such as naltrexone and buprenorphine along with methadone and acamprosate ease withdrawal symptoms and help to normalize brain chemistry. This is especially important during medical detox.

Some individuals only need MAT during the detox process while others need it throughout treatment to help manage cravings to reduce the risk of relapse and decrease the risk of overdose. Longer term MAT is combined with inpatient or outpatient treatment to help you establish long term recovery. Once treatment ends you can taper off the medication support and live a fully substance free life.

Does UMPC Cover Other Mental Healthcare?

In 2010 the Affordable Care Act was enacted into law. The ACA requires insurance plans to cover 10 essential health benefits which include mental health and substance use care. As a result most UMPC plans cover mental healthcare such as counseling and crisis intervention. You may get individual or group counseling along with mental health medication.

The extent of coverage differs from plan to plan. It is important to understand the details of your specific plan before starting treatment so you know whether you need a referral or preauthorization. You’ll also learn what out of pocket costs to expect.

Individuals with alcohol and substance use disorder often have co occurring mental health conditions. What’s most important in these cases is that you get treatment that addresses both mental health and addiction. That’s the only way to ensure you get the help you need to reach long term recovery.

Does Addiction Treatment Need to Be In Network?

Many UMPC plans require you to use an in network provider to get coverage. However some allow you to use an out of network provider although you’ll pay a lot more in out of pocket costs. For example your copayment and deductible may both be higher. Or you might have to pay a percentage of the cost instead of a flat copayment.

To maximize your insurance coverage it’s best to use high quality in network providers or facilities. To find out whether your plan allows non network care contact UMPC directly. This can be done by calling the phone number on the back of your ID card or by going online to their webpage at UPMC.com