COBRA Insurance Coverage For Alcohol And Drug Rehab
COBRA insurance is designed to help people after they lose a job and can provide coverage for many types of health problems. This type of insurance coverage may help with some types of alcohol and drug treatment, such as inpatient treatment, detox programs, and outpatient services.
COBRA insurance is a type of continuation policy that goes into effect when a person loses a job and no longer has insurance. Typically, this option is available for those who elect it when they purchase a health insurance policy.
COBRA can be used to manage a myriad of different health problems, including the dangers of addiction and substance use disorder concerns.
Many drug rehab centers work with COBRA insurance policy options. Available from numerous insurance company providers, COBRA helps make substance abuse treatment possible for those who are also experiencing job loss.
COBRA Insurance Coverage For Massachusetts Drug And Alcohol Treatment
In Massachusetts, COBRA insurance options are available on the marketplace. They are usually synced up with other types of insurance plans and must be paid for separately to ensure that you get the best coverage.
The coverage that COBRA offers is typically the same as that of your previous insurance policy, though there may be differences depending on the situation.
As a result, it isn’t easy to outline the different tiers that are available for you. That will depend on your previous health insurance policy and how much your COBRA insurance is designed to cover.
In some cases, you may pay for only a certain percentage of your past policy’s coverage. Pay attention to this facet before choosing a health care policy. Remember, some COBRA policies last no more than 18 months.
Using COBRA Insurance To Pay For Addiction Treatment
When you use COBRA insurance for residential treatment, you can save yourself a lot of money. High-quality inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment is a big investment and more than worth it for your health.
Thankfully, insurance can alleviate some of the out-of-pocket costs and make sure that you are able to get the treatment that you need.
Do I Have To Stay In-Network To Use My COBRA Insurance For Massachusetts Drug Rehab?
The unique nature of COBRA insurance means that network situations are often a little more complicated. It’s important to understand that you are going to have the same type and level of coverage that you would with your old policy.
This may mean that your network limitations apply to your COBRA insurance policy. However, there are limitations and variations based on the policy you purchase.
Generally, your in-network substance abuse treatment center will cost less than out-of-network treatment. That said, many COBRA policies allow for out-of-network treatment, as long as you pay a larger deductible or premium share.
Again, the variables here require you to be careful when getting alcohol and drug treatment to avoid extensive cost variations.
Out-Of-Pocket Costs For Recovery Programs
Even with a COBRA insurance policy, there may be some out-of-pocket expenses that you need to cover. These typically include any deductibles, premiums, and medication copays.
Don’t forget, though, that many rehab centers have sliding-scale fees that make your costs lower and ensure that you have a payment plan that works for you.
You’ll also need to cover anything that may be left out of your insurance policy. These costs may include anything you might buy while in rehab centers—such as paper for journaling—or anything else not needed for your care. Keep these facts in mind before you plan your trip to avoid costly surprises.
How Do I Find A Massachusetts Rehab Center That Accepts COBRA?
The beneficial nature of COBRA insurance makes it an essential policy type for those who live in Massachusetts. It is widespread enough in use in the state that it should be relatively easy to find a rehab center that accepts these policies.
If you are uncertain, reach out to our treatment experts at Spring Hill Recovery to learn more, and we can gauge whether your insurance policy provides drug rehab coverage.
Does COBRA Cover Inpatient Rehab Programs?
Inpatient treatment is one of the most critical types of addiction treatment available. Many experts believe that it is the most effective type of alcohol and drug treatment. As a result, many health insurance carriers and their extended COBRA coverage plans cover residential treatment for addiction.
Is Alcohol And Drug Detox Covered By COBRA?
Detoxification is a critical way to help those with substance use disorders prepare for further treatment. COBRA insurance policies often cover detox programs because they help to manage a person’s withdrawal symptoms.
Drug and alcohol detox can also make it easier for them to focus on care without experiencing a lot of unnecessary suffering at the same time.
Does COBRA Cover Outpatient Drug Rehab?
Outpatient treatment for addiction offers many of the same care options as an inpatient drug rehab, such as dual diagnosis treatment and aftercare programs. However, an outpatient drug rehab program allows a person to go home when they are done with care. As a result, many insurance company policies focus on this type of care.
Are Partial Hospitalization Programs Covered Through COBRA?
Partial hospitalization programs are a bit of a middle ground between inpatient and outpatient care. PHP treatment gives a person more attention than outpatient services but doesn’t require them to stay long-term in a facility. As a result, partial hospitalization programs are often covered by COBRA insurance for those who need it.
Are Intensive Outpatient Programs Covered By COBRA?
An intensive outpatient treatment program is designed to include more specialized care than outpatient services but is still not as intensive as inpatient rehab.
An IOP program is often a good choice for those who don’t require supervision, as it allows them to get the treatment they need for a substance use disorder without staying at a rehab center. For this reason, intensive outpatient programs are usually covered by COBRA insurance policies.
Does COBRA Cover Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of treatment that combines medications to treat withdrawal symptoms, such as methadone or buprenorphine, along with counseling, therapy, and other treatments. COBRA insurance may cover these treatment programs when they are used as part of a long-term recovery care option.
Does COBRA Insurance Cover Methadone Costs?
COBRA insurance usually covers methadone maintenance therapy for those who need it. This care method is used to manage opiate abuse and helps to manage withdrawal pain and other symptoms that may occur.
Will Massachusetts COBRA Insurance Cover Suboxone Therapy Costs?
Suboxone, or buprenorphine, is similar to methadone and provides an equivalent level of withdrawal management. Suboxone therapy is almost always covered by COBRA insurance, though this may vary depending on your policy.
Does COBRA Insurance Cover Sober Living?
Sober living, or transitional living homes, provide you with a comforting presence after you finish addiction treatment. Staffed with care experts, sober living homes make moving out of drug rehab centers simpler. COBRA insurance may cover this type of recovery program, as long as it isn’t used for rent on a home.
Does COBRA Cover Aftercare?
Aftercare or continuing care is designed to ensure that you avoid relapse and other dangers when you finish drug rehab. Most types of COBRA insurance policies cover this care. It includes various types of counseling techniques and more that keep you from falling back into addiction.
Verifying Your COBRA Insurance For Addiction Treatment
COBRA insurance provides many types of coverage options that you must confirm before you go to treatment. Doing so will ensure that you don’t end up having to pay more money for your treatment than you anticipated and decreases your out-of-pocket costs.
Contact us at Spring Hill Recovery if you need help understanding your insurance coverage or to learn about your treatment options in Massachusetts.
Our treatment specialists will work with you to ensure that you get the treatment you need. By working with us, you give yourself the best chance of entering long-term recovery. Call today to learn more.
- Healthcare.gov—COBRA Coverage and the Marketplace https://www.healthcare.gov/unemployed/cobra-coverage/
- U.S. Department of Labor—Continuation of Health Coverage https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra
- U.S. Department of Labor—FAQ About COBRA Model Notices https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/cobra-model-notices.pdf
- U.S. Department of Labor—FAQs on COBRA Continuation Health Coverage for Worker https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/cobra-continuation-health-coverage-consumer.pdf