One of the most daunting parts of going to rehab is determining how you’ll cover its cost. If you’re interested in receiving addiction treatment in Florida, you may be worried about whether or not your current insurance will help. Under the Affordable Care Act of 2017, both substance use disorder (SUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are now recognized as chronic mental health issues. As such, private pay health insurance companies are required to cover some or all of the related treatment costs. Best of all, health insurance companies can no longer penalize existing policyholders and new applicants for having either SUD or AUD as a known, pre-existing condition.
This is excellent news for people seeking treatment in Florida recovery centers. It means that no matter what your current health insurance status may be, you likely have solid options for paying for the care you need. However, as with all things relating to coverage, it’s important to understand the provisions and limitations of any policy that you intend to use.
Will Your Current Health Insurance Plan Cover Out-of-State Treatment?
Using out-of-state health insurance for recovery centers in Florida can be a bit more challenging than using your current plan in the state in which it was bound. There are two primary coverage types available. These are health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. HMO plans give policyholders access to tightly defined networks of medical providers and facilities. These plans will pay for all covered services that are received through its own network. In the event of emergencies or when referrals are made for special circumstances, they may cover a limited portion of a policyholder’s treatment costs for out-of-network services. More often than not, the networks for HMO plans include only in-state providers and facilities.
PPO plans offer far more flexibility. You have the option of working with providers of your own choosing, and you can receive care at your preferred facilities. When it comes to taking your PPO insurance out-of-state, you’ll need to call your insurer directly to find out what level of coverage you’ll have access to.
Binding a Health Insurance Plan Now
If you don’t currently have coverage, you can get it now. Shopping for private pay health insurance with a pre-existing condition is infinitely easier now the Affordable Care Act is in place. Look for insurance companies that are accepted by the Florida rehab facility you wish to enroll in, and search for plans that provide the greatest range of benefits. No matter what plan you choose, certain treatment costs will have to be paid out of your own pocket. These include:
- You plan deductible
- Co-payment charges
- Prescription fees
Health insurance companies typically offer different levels of coverage. The cheapest plans are best-suited to consumers who are young, are in good health, and don’t have any pre-existing issues that require immediate treatment. Many companies label their plans as bronze, silver, gold, and platinum packages, with platinum providing the greatest amount of coverage and bronze representing their most basic coverage. Even when plans are labeled differently, the system still works the same. The more that you are willing to pay in annual or monthly premiums, the more coverage you’ll ultimately get. Higher rated and more costly plans can additionally result in lower spending on co-payments and prescription fees. Finally, you also have the option of binding supplementary insurance that will assist with your out-of-pocket spending.
Making Plans to Pay for Treatment Costs That Aren’t Covered
Even if you purchase a top-rated plan that will provide excellent coverage for addiction treatment in a Florida recovery center, you can still wind up with a considerable amount of out-of-pocket spending. This is especially true if you intend to enter into an inpatient program that will house you for several months. Fortunately, many recovery centers throughout the nation offer multiple ways to pay uncovered charges including:
- Cash
- Debit or credit card
- Manageable payment arrangements
- Scholarship monies
There are a number of charitable organizations that offer small scholarships to cover excess charges. These needs-based funding opportunities are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and can usually be found by speaking with admissions coordinators at recovery centers, working with social service agencies, or reaching out to local charities directly. You can also crowdsource or fundraise in other ways to meet your goal. Although cost is commonly seen as a major barrier to addiction treatment, it really doesn’t have to be.
If you’re ready to enroll in addiction treatment in a Florida recovery center and have additional questions about health insurance, we’re here to answer them. Call us today at 844-903-2111.