Does Your Health Insurance Cover Teen Drug Treatment?

The study of physical and mental health issues has been the focus of many of us for quite some time now. They are becoming increasingly common among teenagers, especially drug addiction. Dealing with this issue before it gets worse will increase the chances of the patient’s recovery. However, treatment and consultations with experts like psychiatrists or physicians cost a considerable amount of money. Medical expenses must be paid, despite one’s financial situation or willingness to be treated. Since not everybody has the money on hand to afford them, there are alternative payment methods available.

When parents find out that their child is dealing with drug addiction, the first thing they do is look for ways to help, like sending them to a teen drug treatment facility. The next thing to consider is the cost of the treatments. Would they be able to afford the whole process? Do they have any way to lessen the burden of medical expenses? Where can they get the money needed for the therapy? Drug treatment facilities will usually charge anywhere between $250 and $700 a day, depending on the kind of treatment that a patient needs. If you’re looking for an adolescent rehab that accepts insurance this article will help you understand the intricacies of teen rehab insurance.

Health Insurance: Affordable Care Act

If you are wondering if your health insurance covers a teen’s drug treatment, then the answer is usually yes. Since drug and alcohol addiction are regarded as medical problems, they are most likely included in the list of expenses that your insurance covers. Insurance programs are useful, especially in case of emergencies, when a prompt treatment is required.

Medical, psychological, physical, social, and legal issues are some of the many things that the patient’s family needs to focus on. This is why health insurance for teen drug addiction treatments are helpful. As per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, almost 90 percent of people who suffer from alcohol or drug problems cannot get treatment because they are unable to pay the medical expenses. Medication can cost between $2,000 and $25,000 a month. This is a heavy burden to shoulder. However, this is where a law called the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, comes in.

The ACA seeks to help American individuals have access to more treatment options and improve the overall quality of healthcare by making health insurance widely available. Thanks to the ACA, substance abuse is now considered one of the ten essential health benefits. This means that health insurance packages cover drug addiction cases, and give health care providers the chance to serve more people and be reimbursed for their services. Here are the benefits provided by the ACA:

• Insurance now covers more groups of people

Low-income childless adults have increased Medicaid eligibility. This coverage includes mental health issues, and alcohol and drug abuse. This mandate applies in all the states.

• Widens National Parity Law

Before the ACA, there were laws that covered mental health and substance abuse, such as the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. With the ACA, this parity law is also extended to low-income childless adults.

• Prohibiting insurance companies from excluding patients

Insurers are now obligated to cover people who are dealing with mental health conditions and substance abuse problems.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a very helpful state-based program that aids people who are younger than 65 years old. With this program, patients are able to get medical treatments and make use of rehab facilities without paying anything, or at most a small co-payment.

Medicaid guidelines differ from state to state, so it would be wise to contact your local Medicaid office for more information. You can schedule an appointment with them to initiate the process of getting into their program.

What Health Care Services and Other Benefits Will the Insurance Cover?

Thanks to the ACA, a reduction in treatment costs, an increase in medical options, and extended benefits related to employer-provided plans are now available. Since its creation in 2010, the ACA has provided 32 million Americans with drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Twelve million have enrolled in Health Insurance Marketplace plans since 2015, and almost 90% of them qualified for financial assistance. Here is a list of services that the medical insurance plan provides:

1. Addiction evaluation
2. Brief intervention
3. Addiction treatment medication
4. Clinic visits
5. Alcohol and drug testing
6. Home health visits
7. Family counseling
8. Anti-craving medication
9. Inpatient care in a certified facility
10. Outpatient care by an approved provider
11. Follow-up checkups
12. Maintenance

How much would the health insurance cost?

Saving for the future and for emergencies is always a good idea. Just like with any other expense, health insurance requires monthly payments. It is a regular bill that you will have to shoulder. Although payment rates differ from one state to another, the monthly health insurance provided by the ACA costs an average of $612 before any deductions, and $143 after deducting tax subsidies. It is a fairly affordable plan for many people, one that often proves to be very beneficial. However, some insurance companies adjust their payments on discriminatory factors such as gender, health, status, age. Let us discuss some examples.

• Age: It is common knowledge that the younger you are, the lower the payment would be. Some states, such as New York and Vermont, do not consider age as a factor. However, the age of 21 is regarded as the standard, and as you reach the age of thirty, forty, fifty, and sixty, the premium costs start increasing.
• Tobacco Usage: Tobacco users might be required to pay fifty percent more compared to non-users. Despite the ever-increasing number of teens who become addicted to tobacco, some states do not take it into consideration or prohibit insurance companies from charging a premium.
• Location: If you live in a highly competitive region, premiums are cheaper, since insurance companies lower their prices to attract more clients. However, if you live in a rural area where only one or two companies are present, they tend to increase their prices indiscriminately.

How Can You Apply for an Insurance Plan?

Many institutions are providing Health Insurance Marketplace plans nowadays. If you cannot find one, there are ways to subscribe to an ACA-sponsored plan. All you have to do is wait for the open registration period. If you cannot wait, then you can request an appointment at Healthcare.gov so you can initiate the process if you missed the registration period. You simply have to create an account, log in to the website, and fill out your application. You may want to browse through their website and choose what plan is best for you.

Insurance relieves the stress and burden of payments. It is a great solution to turn to if you bump into a life-changing issue such as substance abuse. If you are trying to find a teen rehab facility near you with a comprehensive and proven teen treatment program, there are several suitable options in Los Angeles.