Can Rehab in Arizona Be Free? Insurance Accepted Addiction Treatment

Question 1

Arizona In-Network Treatment Programs Vs. Out of Network Programs: What is the Difference?

Answer

People who have health insurance have the opportunity to choose between two different types of providers; those that are in-network and those that are out of network. This is true for every service they receive, including for addiction treatment.

In-network means that the provider has made an agreement with the health insurance company to accept payment directly from them. They have agreed to work with the insurance company, which could mean that they have negotiated better rates. This is generally the way to go, and it is the best way to save money on the treatment that is needed

Out of network providers are different. They have not made any kind of agreement with health insurance companies at all. They will not accept payment from them directly, nor will the provider bill them. People who choose out of network providers typically have to pay for the services up front out of their own pocket. There is the possibility of submitting paperwork for reimbursement later on. But because there have been no negotiations, the rates tend to be much higher and reimbursements are usually small.

Question 2

What Types of Services are Covered by Insurance in Arizona?

Answer

Most health insurance companies will offer some type of coverage for any recommended method of addiction treatment. This is something that people worry about when they go to rehab because they do not want to get stuck with a bill for something that was not covered.

Every health insurance plan is different. But there are certain types of treatment that covered – at least partially – when a person goes to rehab. They include:

Drug and alcohol detox – This form of substance abuse treatment may be considered necessary depending on the type of addiction a person has. Research has shown us how important it is for people to be careful when they come off certain types of drugs. For example, opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol and stimulants can all cause dangerous or even fatal withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing in a medical environment can help to avoid complications and make recovery much smoother.
Individual therapy sessions – Therapy is an essential part of drug and alcohol rehab. Working with a therapist one-on-one has a lot of benefits, and it is often considered the cornerstone of addiction treatment.
Group therapy – Similar to individual therapy, group therapy offers people peer support as they recover from their addictions. It has been shown to be an integral part of most treatment plans during rehab.
Medication management services – A lot of people rely on medications during rehab for a few different reasons. During the detox phase, they can be very useful at helping to control withdrawal symptoms. During the rehab phase, they may be necessary because of the presence of any mental health or physical health issues that need to be addressed.
Dual diagnosis treatment – Dual diagnosis treatment is highly recommended for people who have a co-occurring disorder such as anxiety or depression. This ensures that their mental health is being treated, which is often a contributing factor when it comes to substance abuse.

Every insurance plan is different, as we mentioned previously, as far as what is covered and what is not. But most health insurance providers offer some type of coverage for the recommended level of care. Some may offer payment in full for people who choose outpatient rehab programs such as IOPs and only partial payment for inpatient programs.

Question 3

What Types of Services are Covered by Insurance in Arizona?

Answer

Most health insurance companies will offer some type of coverage for any recommended method of addiction treatment. This is something that people worry about when they go to rehab because they do not want to get stuck with a bill for something that was not covered.

Every health insurance plan is different. But there are certain types of treatment that covered – at least partially – when a person goes to rehab. They include:

Drug and alcohol detox – This form of substance abuse treatment may be considered necessary depending on the type of addiction a person has. Research has shown us how important it is for people to be careful when they come off certain types of drugs. For example, opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol and stimulants can all cause dangerous or even fatal withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing in a medical environment can help to avoid complications and make recovery much smoother.
Individual therapy sessions – Therapy is an essential part of drug and alcohol rehab. Working with a therapist one-on-one has a lot of benefits, and it is often considered the cornerstone of addiction treatment.
Group therapy – Similar to individual therapy, group therapy offers people peer support as they recover from their addictions. It has been shown to be an integral part of most treatment plans during rehab.
Medication management services – A lot of people rely on medications during rehab for a few different reasons. During the detox phase, they can be very useful at helping to control withdrawal symptoms. During the rehab phase, they may be necessary because of the presence of any mental health or physical health issues that need to be addressed.
Dual diagnosis treatment – Dual diagnosis treatment is highly recommended for people who have a co-occurring disorder such as anxiety or depression. This ensures that their mental health is being treated, which is often a contributing factor when it comes to substance abuse.

Every insurance plan is different, as we mentioned previously, as far as what is covered and what is not. But most health insurance providers offer some type of coverage for the recommended level of care. Some may offer payment in full for people who choose outpatient rehab programs such as IOPs and only partial payment for inpatient programs.

Question 4

Are Intervention Services Covered Under Arizona Health Insurance Policies?

Answer

Most of the time, intervention services are not covered under health insurance because they are not deemed to be medically necessary. In some ways, this is understandable, but it can place a greater financial burden upon families who desperately want their loved ones to be able to get the help they need. But there may be ways around this problem too.

Some addiction treatment programs will offer to do an intervention for free if the individual will be coming to rehab at their facility. Or, they may say that it is covered by insurance but really, they are simply factoring in the cost.

Take some time and research intervention services in Arizona. Talk with the rehab programs to see if they can offer a referral for affordable interventionists. It may be possible to obtain their help at a lower cost, or perhaps work out a payment plan that works for everyone.

Question 5

What is the Affordable Care Act?

Answer

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010 by President Obama. This comprehensive healthcare reform law had three goals:

To make health insurance more affordable and therefore, more accessible for more people. It provides people with tax credits or subsidies that can effectively lower the cost of health insurance for people with incomes that are between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
To expand the Medicaid program for all adults who have an income that is below 138% of the poverty level.
To support new and innovative medical care delivery methods which are designed to generally lower the cost of healthcare.

The ACA has done so much for the addiction treatment industry and for the people who desperately need to go to rehab. In addition to all of the above, this law also requires health insurance companies to provide benefits to customers who need detox and rehab. In the past, this was not the case, and most people did not have this type of coverage at all. As a result, they either had to find other ways to quit using, or they felt they needed to continue to abuse substances.

Question 6

How Much Will Insurance Companies in Arizona Pay for Addiction Treatment?

Answer

It is difficult to say how much a health insurance company will cover for addiction treatment because there are so many differences. When people choose their plan, they have a lot of options with a variety of coverage levels. That means the benefits are completely dependent upon what type of plan the individual has chosen.

As a general rule, most health insurance companies will offer excellent coverage for drug and alcohol detox. Many will even cover it in full and not require any type of co-pay. This is because this step is an essential part of the recovery process for many types of addictions.

Health insurance companies tend to offer better coverage for people who are seeking outpatient recovery programs. But any quality rehab program should go above and beyond to maximize the patient’s coverage so that they pay as little out of pocket as possible.

Question 7

Are There Free Rehab Programs in Arizona?

Answer

Yes, there are ways to go to rehab for free if you live in Arizona. If you currently have Medicaid, you should be able to get into a state-run drug or alcohol rehab and it should be covered completely. But if you do not have health insurance, there is another avenue that you might want to pursue.

SAMHSA offers grants every year to help cover the cost of drug and alcohol treatment for people who do not have health insurance. This is a great option because it should cover the cost of detox and rehab in full, with no additional money required out of pocket.

Question 8

What Can People do to Get Treatment if They do not Have Health Insurance?

Answer

If a person does not have health insurance and they do not qualify for a grant through SAMHSA, there are other ways for them to get the treatment they need. It can require some out-of-the-box thinking, but the following are all options:

Talking with a loved one about possibly borrowing the money to help cover the costs of treatment.
Getting information about financing options, which may cover the cost of rehab in full.
Charging the treatment to a credit card.
Taking out a personal loan to help cover the costs.
Visiting local community centers and non-profits to get information on possible scholarships or other types of funding for rehab.

It is also a good idea to discuss the financial hardship and the need for rehab with someone at your local Department of Social Services. They may be able to provide additional assistance and help you get the treatment you need faster.

Question 9

What Types of Addiction Treatment Services Does Medicaid Cover?

Answer

People who live in Arizona who are on Medicaid will not have to worry about co-pays when it comes to addiction treatment. This is good because it makes getting treatment a lot more affordable for them.

If you are on Medicaid, your health insurance offers benefits for the following services:

Substance abuse screenings – You may have questions about whether you have an addiction that needs treatment. Medicaid will cover the cost of screenings to inform you about what type of rehab you need, if any.
Intervention services – If your family has to have a professional addiction intervention, all or most of the cost of it will be covered by Medicaid.
Drug and alcohol detox medications – A lot of people need to take medications like Methadone or Suboxone when they begin recovery. These and other medications can help with withdrawal symptoms, and they are covered by Medicaid.
Family therapy – The family is often the biggest source of support for people in addiction recovery. Family therapy is usually highly recommended to repair relationships that have been damaged as a result of substance abuse.
Inpatient treatment – If you are recommended for inpatient rehab, you will not have to worry about paying the bill on your own. Medicaid offers benefits to offset these costs.
Long-term residential rehab – Perhaps you have been told that you need a higher level of care than even inpatient treatment has to offer. If that is the case, Medicaid will still cover the treatment you need in a long-term facility.
Outpatient rehab – Medicaid offers coverage for people who need both inpatient and outpatient programs. Like many people, you may have started by going to an inpatient rehab center. But they will still offer coverage once you are ready to move into outpatient treatment.
Additional mental health services – Addictions frequently accompany mental health issues. Getting treatment for them is really important. In fact, you may not be able to recover from your addiction unless you do. Medicaid will provide coverage for those mental health services as well.

Question 10

Can I Get Health Insurance if I do Not Currently Have it?

Answer

You may be able to apply for a health insurance policy you can afford by visiting HealthCare.gov. Once you are there, you will be redirected to your state health insurance website. Please be aware that you may not always be able to apply, depending on what types of applications they are accepting at the time. There is an open enrollment time each year. But you can also ask for an exception.

Once you have health insurance, you should have no trouble finding a drug and alcohol rehab you can afford. You may even find that your treatment is covered in full.

Question 11

Are There Other Ways to Get Addiction Recovery Support in Arizona That are Free?

Answer

You may be able to find additional ways of getting addiction recovery support in Arizona that are free of charge. For example, you might want to consider going to AA and NA meetings. They are being held on a weekly basis all over the state in just about every city. You can even find 12-Step meetings online. There is no charge to attend an AA or NA meeting. All you need is a desire to stop using.

SMART Recovery is another option that you might want to consider. This is not a 12-Step program. Instead, they rely on scientific methods of recovery. They have regular meetings and there are always people starting new ones. If you do want to go to an AA or NA meeting because you do not like the 12-Step method, this might be something for you to consider.

You may want to take some time and research free clinics in your local area as well. Many of them operate based on your income. Their services may be free for you to utilize, or they might have a sliding scale fee that you can afford.

Question 12

How Long Should I Expect to Stay in Treatment?

Answer

Sometimes people are disheartened to learn that they will not be able to stop getting treatment once rehab is over. It may have taken you months or even years to get addicted to your drug of choice. That is damage that cannot be undone in a 28-day or even a 12-week program. It takes a lot longer in most cases.

But that does not mean that you will need to stay in a long-term treatment facility for months at a time. Most people do quite well with a “step-down” approach to recovery. For example, if you choose to go to an inpatient rehab center, an intensive outpatient program may be recommended for you after you finish.

Ongoing treatment is the best option available to you if you want to recover from your addiction. People who continue to get the help they need often find that they are much more likely to remain in recovery long-term.

Question 13

Should I Choose a Private Rehab Program or a Free Rehab in Arizona?

Answer

At some point, you may need to make the decision between a public rehab and a private rehab. Both have their benefits, and you should definitely choose the one that is right for you.

Public rehab programs are often free for patients. This is good because it makes getting treatment more affordable. But it also creates some challenges. Because the treatment is free, it is in extremely high demand. You may find that you do not get as much attention from staff as you would at a private facility.

Private rehab offers a lot more benefits in that they do accept insurance, which can keep your costs low. They also often tend to keep their patient population low, which gives you more time with the staff. You may find other benefits too, such as:

Better accommodations.
Better food.
Holistic treatment options.
A higher overall success rate.

Can Rehab in Arizona Be Free? Insurance Accepted Addiction Treatment

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Evan Leonard MS, MMS, PA-C