Does BCBS of North Carolina Insurance Cover Inpatient Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers?
If you have a BCBS of North Carolina health insurance plan and are struggling with addiction, you may be wondering whether you can use your plan to cover some of the costs of addiction treatment. The types of treatment available to you may vary but could include inpatient alcohol and drug rehab, or outpatient services. The treatment you receive, in addition to the type of plan you have, will determine whether your BCBS of NC plan covers the costs associated with rehab.
The best way to figure out what is and isn’t covered under your health plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is to check your benefits and coverage. You can do this by calling the number on the back of your insurance card to talk to a BCBS of NC plan representative who will walk you through your plan details.
You can also work with a rehab center directly; usually, if you provide basic insurance information, the center can look up whether it’s an in-network provider and list off your coverage details. Finally, you can work with the American Addiction Centers (AAC) over online chat, phone call, or the online form below to find out what your coverage details may include.
How to Find BCBS of North Carolina Covered Inpatient Drug Treatment Centers in NC?
For many, finding a covered rehab facility, such as an inpatient drug treatment center, nearby in North Carolina can seem overwhelming. That’s why AAC is here to help. As an industry leader in addiction treatment and care, AAC can help you learn more about addiction, addiction treatment, your insurance, and locations near you.
By calling our helpline today, you can speak with a person who can check your benefits for you right while you’re on the phone. AAC can also look up whether your BCBS of NC plan is accepted at one of our renowned treatment facilities across the country, or help you pinpoint a high-quality, in-network facility near you today.
What Is BCBS of North Carolina?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association that provides health insurance solutions to members.1, para 2 Since 1933. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) has been helping North Carolinians get the health care solutions that need.1, para 2
Presently, Blue Cross NC is a not-for-profit, fully taxes company in North Carolina that serves over 3.81 million members.1, para 3 In 2020, the membership by plan type is as follows:2, pg. 7
- BlueCard: 1,174,433 members
- Major Group: 999,569 members
- Local Group: 238,521 members
- Individual and Family under 65: 467,406 members
- Federal (Federal Employees, Medicare): 397,485 members
- North Carolina State plan: 584,308 members
The Blue Cross NC has a wide network of providers for its preferred provider organization (PPO) plans.1 “Our Provider Network” Specifically, 96% of North Carolina doctors and 99% of North Carolina general acute-care hospitals are covered under these plans.1 “Our Provider Network” What’s more, BlueCard members may have coverage with network providers in all 50 states in the country.
How Much Does BCBS of North Carolina Cover (Addiction Treatment)?
Figuring out how much your BCBS of NC plan covers regarding addiction treatment is essential. However, every plan is different in design, which means the coverage details can vary. Coverage may be subject to network providers and could change based on where you seek care and when you live. Call the number on the back of your insurance card to find out if any of the following common treatment methods are covered under your plan.
- Inpatient or residential rehab. With an inpatient or residential rehab program, patients live at the facility for the entire time they’re in the program. Here, they can receive round-the-clock care, including medications, therapy and counseling, and medical detox. The care can help offer structure to a recovering patient’s day and help manage withdrawal symptoms.3, Pg 8, “What types of treatment programs are available?” Para 2,
- Outpatient rehab or therapy. With outpatient or therapy programs, a patient attends their sessions, which could include 1 or 2 sessions a week, for therapy or counseling or other treatments. There is no overnight stay required with outpatient rehab or therapy. 3, Pg 10, Para 2
- Intensive outpatient programs. For those who would benefit from more structure than a standard outpatient program, an intensive outpatient program, which requires patients to attend a minimum number of hours of care weekly.3, Pg 10, Para 3
- Partial hospitalization programs. With this type of rehab program, patients attend many hours of treatment each day, usually 4-8, multiple days a week. There is no overnight stay with this type of program.3, Pg 10, Para 1
Be sure to check with your health provider before enrolling in a program, as the options listed above may not be the best fit for you on your journey to recovery. Additionally, they may not be fully or partially covered by your Blue Cross of NC plan, which is why you should call the number on the back of your insurance card or call the AAC to verify your benefits and coverage.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Provide Coverage for Mental Health Facilities?
Blue Cross NC coverage can vary, but, under the Affordable Care Act, most U.S. health plans are mandated to provide coverage in some capacity for mental health and substance use services.4 This means that mental health facilities and treatments received at facilities may be covered under your Blue Cross NC health plan. Specifically, select Blue Cross NC plans provide 3 behavioral health visits or substance use visits with in-network providers at no extra cost to you each year.5 “Key Don’t-Miss Benefits – “3 free behavioral health visits”
For those with a mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, which is called a co-occurring disorder, this means that your health plan may provide coverage in some capacity for your treatment.6 In 2020, 17 million Americans reported having a co-occurring disorder.6
As such, co-occurring disorders are relatively common, which is not surprising as experts believe that those with a mental illness are twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder at some point in their life, or vice versa.7 Because they are interconnected conditions, many experts recommend integrated treatment, where each condition is addressed separately at the same time during treatment.6 “What should I do?”
To find out what is explicitly covered under your plan and the extent of your coverage, you need to verify your benefits and coverage. To do so, call the number on the back of your insurance card. You can also log in to your online member portal on the Blue Cross NC website and review your summary of benefits and coverage. You may also work with a rehab facility directly or call the AAC helpline to have direct assistance in verifying your benefits and coverage.
How Long Does BCBS of North Carolina Insurance Cover Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs?
It’s important to note that how long you should remain in treatment and how long BCBS of NC insurance covers alcohol and drug rehab programs may not mirror each other. Your health care provider should determine the length of time you should be in treatment. While this time frame may vary depending on each patient’s unique situation, as some patients require more or less time than the average patient in treatment, most experts agree that treatment should last at least 90 days to improve the possibility of positive outcomes.7, bullet 5
There may be differences in how long you should stay in treatment and how long your BCBS of NC plan covers treatment. To find out how long your plan may cover treatment, you can look up your plan information on your insurance card. Your online member portal may also grant you access to your summary of benefits coverage, which can give you insight into your coverage details. Calling the AAC helpline can also connect you with a trained professional who can help you look up your plan coverage details.
What if My BCBS of North Carolina Policy Does Not Cover an Inpatient Drug Rehab Program?
Depending on where you seek treatment, the treatment you receive, and the BCBS of North Carolina coverage you have, your plan may not cover all or part of your rehab costs. If your plan doesn’t cover your treatment, including an inpatient drug rehab program, you may be able to use alternate payment options to cover your rehab costs. Be sure to ask the rehab center you choose rather there were special financing or scholarship opportunities available to you. Remember, getting the care you need today is of the utmost importance. Don’t push getting the care you need down the road.
BCBS of North Carolina In-Network vs. Out-of-Network Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers
Knowing the difference between an in-network and an out-of-network provider may help you save money on your health insurance costs. An in-network provider is defined as one as a provider, doctor, facility, or supplier that is contracted with your Blue Cross NC health plan.8 “In-network” They typically make a deal or contract with BCBS of NC to participate in its programs. 8 “In-network
Generally speaking, choosing an in-network provider results in potentially lower health care costs for you.8 “In-network Out-of-network providers are those who do not contract with BCBS of NC and may not be covered at all under your specific plan.8 “In-network
To find a rehab center that is within your plan network, call the AAC helpline or use the Find a Doctor tool on the BCBS of NC website.
Rehabs That Take Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance
American Addiction Centers (AAC) has various rehab facilities around the country that provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment. If you have a Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan, the following AAC facilities accept Blue Cross Blue Shield for drug and alcohol addiction rehab.
- AdCare Rhode Island: With various facilities located in Rhode Island, AdCare provides innovative, quality, and cost-efficient addiction treatment. Its integrated system of care offers an inpatient treatment center in North Kingstown and a network of outpatient offices throughout Rhode Island. AdCare’s continuum of care includes detox services, residential treatment dual-diagnosis treatment, intensive outpatient services, inpatient and outpatient services, and tele-health.
- Desert Hope Treatment Center: Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Desert Hope provides individualized care programs as well as offering a full continuum of care including detox services, residential treatment dual-diagnosis treatment, intensive outpatient services, and tele-health.
- Greenhouse Treatment Center: Located in Grand Prairie, Texas, Greenhouse offers individualized treatment plans and many levels of care including detox services, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment, intensive outpatient services, outpatient services, and tele-health, all in a luxurious setting with high-end amenities.
- Laguna Treatment Hospital: Located in Orange County, California, Laguna is a chemical dependency recovery hospital that focuses on treating people who are medically compromised and need 24/7 oversight. Provided care includes detox services, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment inpatient treatment, and intensive outpatient services.
- Oxford Treatment Center: Located in Etta, Mississippi, Oxford offers gender-specific rehab while offering an opportunity to connect with nature and try new activities. Provided care includes detox, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment, inpatient and outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient services, and tele-health, all with individualized treatment programs.
- Sunrise House Treatment Center: Located in Lafayette Township, New Jersey, Sunrise House provides treatment for people suffering from substance abuse from a medical and holistic standpoint. With various evidence-based therapeutic interventions, personalized care is provided through detox, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment, and outpatient services.
There are various treatment programs for individuals struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, so don’t give up if the first program you check out doesn’t meet your individual needs. There are rehabs near me that can provide the treatment you need. Check out the directory to find a list of facilities and programs. You can search by location and filter by Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.