One of the more common reasons why someone struggling with an addiction to alcohol or drugs does not seek treatment is that they think they cannot afford the cost. When you look at some of the rehab facilities, you might find that they charge more than what you pay in rent or a mortgage and your other expenses every month. Those who have Tricare insurance can use their policies to cover the cost of their stays. Find out more about this type of insurance and what it covers before you look for accredited facilities.
Does Tricare Insurance Cover Rehab?
Tricare is an insurance company that provides coverage for those in the military as well as their spouses and dependents. Dependents include both their biological children and kids they adopted and may include their stepchildren. Tricare occasionally covers parents and in-laws if they are dependents of the person in the military. It also covers the surviving spouses and dependents of those killed in action. In some cases, ex-spouses may receive coverage too.
If you have a Tricare policy, you’ll find that it covers many of the treatments available in a Southern California rehab. This may include both emergency and non-emergency treatments such as sending someone directly to rehab after an intervention or overdose. Your policy may cover detox, outpatient programs, treatments that require medications, and partial hospitalization programs (PHP). In PHP, doctors and other professionals will work with the patient and provide medications and other treatments as needed. After an overdose, the addict may need to detox and get help with their withdrawal symptoms. Tricare does not cover unproven treatments or aversion therapy.
Substance Abuse and the Military
Addiction is a serious problem facing men and women in the military. One survey found that more than 3% of veterans admitted to using illegal substances other than marijuana in the last month. Fewer than 1% of those in the military admitted to using those substances. Veterans do not always have all of the resources that they need available to them and can suffer from conditions such as PTSD that causes them to use substances as a way to cope with their symptoms.
Veterans who served the country and want to see treatment from facilities in Southern California will find that they can use Tricare to cover their costs. Tricare for Life is an insurance program designed for veterans and their beneficiaries. It requires that you have Medicare too. When you seek treatment, the center will bill Medicare. Once Medicare pays the amount that it owes, it sends the bill to Tricare to cover the balance. Tricare also has programs for those in a reserve unit and those who retired from a reserve unit.
Tricare Network
Though the answer to the question of, “does Tricare insurance cover rehab?” is yes, it covers treatments offered by the facilities in your network. You typically need to talk to your primary care physician and get a referral to a treatment center. That ensures that your policy covers the treatment. The center will send a bill for the care to the insurer on file. You do not need to worry about how you will pay for the stay or find out how to make a payment when you arrive. Tricare will contact you if it has any issues with your policy or coverage.
One thing that you may need to pay when using Tricare insurance for rehab is your deductible. Your deductible is the total amount of out of pocket expenses due before your insurance covers the remaining balance. Tricare Prime does not have a deductible, which means that you can use your policy whenever you want. Tricare Select charges different deductibles based on whether the person in the military is in Group A or Group B and their rank. If you go over your maximum deductible before the end of the year, Tricare does not keep it on your account. Your deductible will go back to $0 on the first of the new year.
Tricare and the Affordable Care Act
No matter what type of substance abuse treatment you choose, Tricare must cover your treatment due to changes implemented through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA requires that you carry a minimum amount of insurance and once charged a fee if you didn’t have coverage. Though it’s no longer mandatory to have insurance, the act makes it illegal for any provider to deny you coverage based on preexisting conditions. As long as you have a Tricare policy in good standing, it will cover the treatment that you choose.
Sober Home vs. Treatment Center
When you look for the right Southern California rehab center, consider whether a treatment center or a sober home is right for you. A sober home is a group home where multiple addicts live together until they feel comfortable returning home. It has rules that residents need to follow and features daily therapy sessions. Some of these sessions include treatment for behavioral disorders along with addictions. Treatment centers are more intensive and include several therapy sessions a day but may include fun activities too. Withdrawal and detox programs are available as well. Tricare often covers both inpatient and outpatient treatment along with sober living programs.
Here at Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, we know that the symptoms of substance abuse and recovery are hard. That is why we offer programs that help residents safely stop using illegal and legal substances. You’ll also discover caring faces and friendly professionals who want to help you every step of the way. Whether you served in the military or are the dependent/spouse of someone who served, you have access to health insurance that covers your treatment. Call us today to find out how you can use Tricare insurance for rehab.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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